Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss; Prognostic Factors

Document Type : Original

Authors

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Government Medical College & Hospital , Chandigarh, India.

Abstract

Introduction:
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a frightening and frustrating symptom for the patient as well as the physician. Prognosis is affected by multiple factors including duration of hearing loss, presence of associated vertigo and tinnitus, and co-morbidities such as hypertension and diabetes.
 
Materials and Methods:
Forty subjects presenting to our department with features of sudden hearing loss were included in the study. Detailed otological history and examination, serial audiometric findings and course of disease were studied.
 
Results:
Subjects presenting late (in older age), having associated vertigo, hypertension and diabetes had a significantly lower rate of recovery.
 
Conclusion: 
Only 60–65% of patients experiencing SSNHL recover within a period of 1 month; this rate is further affected by presence of multiple prognostic indicators.

Keywords

Main Subjects


1. Megighian D, Bolzan M, Barion U, Nicolai P. Epidemological considerations in sudden hearing loss: a study of 183 cases. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 1986; 243(4):250–3.
2. Karlberg M, Halmagyi GM, Buttner U, Yavor RA. Sudden unilateral hearing loss with simultaneous ipsilateral posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surgery 2000; 126(8):1024–9.
3. Fetterman BL, Saunders JE, Luxford WM. Prognosis and treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Am J Otol 1996;17(4):529–36.
4. Mattox DE, Simmons FB. Natural history of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1977;86(4):463–80.
5. Conlin AE, Parnes LS. Treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, II: a meta-analysis. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007; 133(6):582–6.
6. Conlin AE, Parnes LS. Treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss, I: a systematic review. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007; 133(6):573–81.
7. Fetterman BL, Saunders JE, Luxford WM. Prognosis and treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Am J Otol 1996; 17(4):529–36.
8. Haynes DS, O’Malley M, Cohen S, Watford K, Labadie RF. Intratympanic dexamethasone for sudden sensorineural hearing loss after failure of systemic therapy. Laryngoscope 2007; 117(1):         3–15.
9. Wei BP, Mubiru S, O’Leary S. Steroids for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;(1).
10. Byl F. Sudden hearing loss: Eight Year’s experience and suggested prognostic table. Laryngoscope 1984;94(5):647–66.
 
11. Harada H, Kato T. Prognosis for sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a retrospective study using logistic regression analysis. Int Tinn J 2005; 11(2):115-18.
12. Hughes GB, Freedman MA, Haberkamp TJ, Guay ME. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 1996;29(3):393–405.
13. Zadeh MH, Storper IS, Spitzer JB. Diagnosis and treatment of sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss: a study of 51 patients. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003; 128(1):92–98.
tors.