Gradenigo's syndrome includes hearing loss along with which symptom?

Gradenigo's syndrome is a rare condition that arises due to a middle ear infection leading to a specific set of symptoms. In this syndrome, the presence of hearing loss is typically accompanied by diplopia, which refers to double vision. This occurs because the infection can affect the nearby structures, including the cranial nerves. In particular, it often involves damage to the abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI), which controls lateral eye movement, resulting in diplopia.

The association of hearing loss and diplopia is crucial in diagnosing Gradenigo's syndrome, highlighting the significance of understanding the neurological manifestations linked to otological conditions. Other symptoms such as earache, otorrhea (discharge from the ear), or vesicles (small fluid-filled blisters) may also accompany ear infections but are not defining features of Gradenigo's syndrome. Thus, the combination of hearing loss and diplopia stands out as characteristic of this condition.