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Updated: Dec 21, 2025
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Framingham risk score is associated with hearing outcomes in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Republic of Korea.
Insights
The Framingham risk score may predict outcomes for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Higher cardiovascular risk scores correlated with poorer hearing recovery in patients with sudden hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Cardiology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a common otologic emergency.
- Cardiovascular disease risk factors are increasingly recognized as potential contributors to various health conditions.
- The Framingham risk score (FRS) is a validated tool for assessing 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of the Framingham risk score (FRS) as a prognostic indicator in patients diagnosed with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).
- To determine if baseline cardiovascular risk, as estimated by the FRS, correlates with hearing recovery outcomes in ISSNHL patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of medical records for patients with unilateral ISSNHL treated between January 2010 and October 2017.
- Calculation of the 10-year CVD risk using the Framingham risk score for all included patients.
- Stratification of patients into three groups based on FRS: <10%, 10-20%, and >20%.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between initial pure tone average and FRS (p=0.32).
- Complete hearing recovery was observed in 46.4% of patients with an FRS <10%, whereas no complete recovery was seen in patients with FRS of 10% or higher.
- Multivariable regression analysis revealed a significant association between FRS and initial pure tone average (R²=0.36, p=0.005), indicating poorer hearing with higher cardiovascular risk.
Conclusions:
- The Framingham risk score demonstrates potential as a prognostic tool for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
- Patients with higher cardiovascular risk, indicated by elevated FRS, exhibit poorer hearing recovery outcomes following ISSNHL.
- Integrating cardiovascular risk assessment may aid in predicting prognosis for ISSNHL patients.
Objective:
To assess the Framingham risk score as a prognostic tool for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients.
Methods:
Medical records were reviewed for unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients between January 2010 and October 2017. The 10-year risk of developing cardiovascular disease was calculated. Patients were subdivided into groups: group 1 - Framingham risk score of less than 10 per cent (n = 28); group 2 - score of 10 to less than 20 per cent (n = 6); and group 3 - score of 20 per cent or higher (n = 5).
Results:
Initial pure tone average and Framingham risk score were not significantly associated (p = 0.32). Thirteen patients in group 1 recovered completely (46.4 per cent), but none in groups 2 and 3 showed complete recovery. Initial pure tone average and Framingham risk score were significantly associated in multivariable linear regression analysis (R2 = 0.36). The regression coefficient was 0.33 (p = 0.003) for initial pure tone average and -0.67 (p = 0.005) for Framingham risk score.
Conclusion:
Framingham risk score may be useful in predicting outcomes for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients, as those with a higher score showed poorer hearing recovery.
