Measles and Hearing Loss
Roberta Singer
With the measles virus in the news as once again affecting individuals in the United States, it is interesting to note that one lasting deficit from the virus may be hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss resulting from measles-related encephalitis and conductive, typically temporary hearing loss from ear infections may occur as well. Estimates suggest that 5 to 10% of cases of profound hearing loss in unvaccinated people may be measles-linked (Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 2007).