Sudden hearing loss: Eight years' experience and suggested prognostic table

Abstract

The etiology, incidence, acute and late prognosis, and treatment of sudden hearing loss (SHL) are described variously in the literature. In an 8‐year prospective study of 225 SHL patients, initiated in July 1973, overall, normal, or complete recovery occurred in 45% of patients and late otologic complications in 28%. Important prognostic indicators were severity of initial hearing loss and vertigo, time to initial audiogram, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate; other indicators were age >60 and <15 years, midfrequency audiogram configuration, and hearing status of the opposite ear. A common inflammatory cause is suggested for all degrees of severity in SHL, and a prognostic table is provided to aid the practitioner in predicting recovery. There is still no evidence that treatment achieves a result better than expected with spontaneous recovery.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Evidence from Taiwan

“…We find that the annual SSNHL incidence rates in Taiwan ranged between 6.49 and 10.21 per 100,000, which is comparable with the previously reported annual SSNHL incidence rates of 5–20 per 100,000 in the US [4] and the 10.25 per 100,000 found in the Prefecture of Ioannina in Greece between 1995 and 1999 [15]. They are also in line with the findings on Japan of 6.30 per 100,000 in 1987, and 10.3 per 100,000 in 1993 [13].…”

“…Possible causes of SSNHL may include viral or bacterial infection, circulatory disturbance in the area of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, acoustic tumor, perilymphatic fistula [4], environment [5], diet [6] or weather [7]. SSNHL is also occasionally preceded by a common cold or upper respiratory tract infection, as reported in patients with vestibular neuronitis [8] or Ménière’s disease [7].…”

Clinical Analysis of Recurrent Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

“…Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as sensorineural hearing loss of at least 30 dB at three consecutive speech frequencies occurring over 3 days [1,2]. Its worldwide incidence ranges from 5 to 20 per 100,000 individuals [2].…”

“…Its worldwide incidence ranges from 5 to 20 per 100,000 individuals [2]. The pathogenesis of SSNHL is controversial.…”

The Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Idiopathic Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Case Study

“…1 When clinical assessment is unable to determine a cause for hearing loss, this clinical picture is deemed idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). The natural history and clinical presentation of ISSHL can prove challenging for clinicians as the severity and timing of hearing loss varies by patient.…”