Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss - a national survey

The management of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing loss is a controversial issue and there is no universally agreed protocol in its management The aim of this study was to ascertain the referral trends, treatment strategies, and outcome of treatment adopted by the Consultant Otorhinolarygologists in this country. A postal questionnaire was sent to all 32 Consultants in the Republic of Ireland, which achieved 21(65.62%) responses. Patients were referred to 13(61.9%) respondents within two weeks of the onset of symptoms and 3(14.28%) Consultants were referred patients within twenty four hours of the onset of symptoms. All specialists routinely performed full blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 15(71.42%) routinely assess fasting blood sugar and 5(23.80%) investigate fasting lipids and perform a syphilis screen. MR imaging to outrule vestibular schwanoma is performed by 11(52.38%) respondents. When treated within two weeks of the symptoms 6(28.57%) of the respondents were optimistic about recovery of hearing upon treatment whereas 2(9.52%) considered recovery of useful hearing less likely if treated more than two weeks after onset The triple therapy with oral vasodilators, oral steroids, and Carbogen inhalation was favoured by 9(42.85%). Oral steroid was the sole therapeutic modality by 4(19.04%). The opinion of Consultants was that the referral trend from the primary care physician is appropriate and 20(95.23%). Consultants considered an optimistic outcome if treated within two weeks. The investigations and management protocol for sudden sensorineural hearing loss is not uniform which is consistent with the treatment strategies world wide.