Evaluation of prognostic factors in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

It was aimed to establish which identifiable variables for an idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) have a prognostic value in the hearing recovery. Patients hospitalized with diagnosis of ISSHL and treated in our clinic between 2009 and 2013 were evaluated retrospectively. Individuals received the same treatment were classified into two groups after a month from diagnosis by a pure tone audiogram regarding Siegel’s criteria. Effect of patient’s age, gender, side of ear, degree of hearing loss, patterns of initial pure-tone audiogram, comorbidities such as systemic diseases, time of initial treatment, contralateral ear hearing, presence of vestibular symptoms and tinnitus on the prognosis of ISSHL was evaluated in this study. Eighty two patients (46 male, 36 female, mean age 47.9, age ranging between 21 and 85) were included in this study. Hearing recovery was observed in 50 patients (61%). Recovery rate was significantly better in patients less than 60 years and received a medical treatment in the first seven days. On the other hand, it was lower in patients presenting with profound audiogram and contralateral hearing loss. Presence of comorbidities including systemic diseases, vestibular symptoms and tinnitus did not affected prognosis.