Questionnaires in Patients with Unilateral Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) in patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

In total, 101 patients with unilateral SSNHL (44 women, 57 men), who were admitted and treated at our institution between December 2012 and June 2014, were included in the study. All patients completed the questionnaires for DHI and THI during their admission and were treated with bed rest and oral methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg, which was eventually tapered). Of these, 83 patients received intratympanic dexamethasone 4 times over a 2-week period. Demographic data, accompanying symptoms, and DHI and THI subscales were compared between the non-recovery group (Siegel's criteria type 4, n=63) and the recovery group (Siegel's criteria type 1-3, n=38).

There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular attack, and tinnitus. Patients in the non-recovery group were significantly older (51.53 vs. 50.24 years, p<0.05) and had a higher incidence of chronic kidney disease (10.53% vs. 1.59%, p<0.05) than those in the recovery group. Although more patients in the non-recovery group complained of dizziness (47.37% vs. 25.40%, p<0.05), DHI subscales were not significantly different between the groups. THI subscales were also not significantly different between the two groups.

DHI and THI questionnaires may have limited prognostic value for patients with unilateral SSNHL.