Cytokine analysis may support new therapeutic strategies for immune-mediated hearing loss.

Purpose: Diagnosing immune-mediated hearing loss is challenging due to diverse clinical presentations and lack of specific markers. This study assesses cytokine levels in these patients to identify potential diagnostic markers and new treatments. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 70 early-stage immune-mediated hearing loss patients was conducted. Inclusion criteria included clinical presentation, immunological work-up alterations, corticosteroid response, and comparison with healthy controls. Serum levels of IFN gamma, IL-1Beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17a, and TNFalfa were measured using a Magnetic Luminex Assay kit. Results: The cohort, with an average age of 42.1 years, showed bilateral hearing loss in 30% of cases, predominantly as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (54.2%). Among cytokines analyzed, only IL-10 levels were elevated compared to controls. Discussion: Diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation due to limited diagnostic markers. Previous studies on cytokine involvement had conflicting results. Elevated IL-10 levels suggest a role in pathogenesis and treatment response, warranting further investigation. Conclusion: IL-10 therapy is proposed for corticosteroid non-responders, offering a promising research direction. Identifying diagnostic markers and understanding immune-related causes are crucial for improving outcomes in immune-mediated hearing loss, supporting ongoing research efforts.