Postoperative sensorineural hearing loss associated with prolonged hypocalcemia

Abstract A 57-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy and developed profound postoperative hypocalcemia consistent with hungry bone syndrome, followed by acute sensorineural hearing loss on postoperative day 3. Calcium plays a critical role in cochlear hair cell transduction and auditory signaling, and disruptions in calcium homeostasis have been associated with hearing loss, although primarily in chronic or syndromic conditions rather than acute postoperative states. This case underscores the importance of aggressive calcium repletion in hungry bone syndrome, as well as early recognition of atypical symptoms such as hearing changes to enable prompt multidisciplinary management and optimize patient outcomes.