Otoacoustic emissions value in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients.

The study included 30 subjects with unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Each patient was evaluated four times: at baseline and after one week, one month, and three months of treatment. During each visit, each patient was subjected to full audiological history, otoscopic examination, basic audiological evaluations, and transiently evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emission (TEOAEs & DEOAEs).

The hearing thresholds (frequency range 250-8000 Hz) and word recognition scores of patients with detectable TEOAEs and DPOAEs improved significantly, whereas no significant improvements were observed in those with no response.

Hearing improvement is better in patients with detectable TEOAEs and DPOAEs. As a result, TEOAEs and DPOAEs are recommended as routine tests in all SSNHL patients to predict outcomes and monitor treatment as TEOAEs and DPOAEs reflect the cochlear OHCs activity.