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Updated: Aug 8, 2025
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Elias S Saba1, Austin R Swisher2, Ghedak N Ansari1
1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Kaiser Permanente Oakland, Oakland, California, USA.
Insights
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is linked to cardiovascular risks. Patients with SSNHL show higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol, suggesting a shared risk profile.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) may stem from interrupted blood supply to the inner ear.
- Cardiovascular risk factors are hypothesized to contribute to SSNHL pathogenesis.
- This study systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the association between cardiovascular risk factors and SSNHL.
Approach:
- Conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on SSNHL and cardiovascular risk factors.
- Included 27 studies encompassing 77,566 patients (22,620 SSNHL patients).
- Utilized data from major databases including PubMed/Medline, OVID, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science.
Key Points:
- SSNHL patients exhibited significantly higher odds of diabetes (OR 1.61) and hypertension (OR 1.5).
- Elevated total cholesterol levels were observed in the SSNHL group (SMD 11.09 mg/dL).
- No significant differences were found for smoking, HDL, triglycerides, or BMI.
Conclusions:
- Patients with SSNHL possess a higher cardiovascular risk profile, characterized by increased prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia.
- These findings underscore the potential role of cardiovascular health in SSNHL.
- Further prospective and matched cohort studies are recommended to elucidate the precise relationship.
Objective:
The interruption of vascular supply to the inner ear is one of several proposed etiologies of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). The increased presence of cardiovascular risk factors may predispose patients to SSNHL through this pathway. This systematic review and meta-analysis studies the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients diagnosed with SSNHL.
Data Sources:
Databases included PubMed/Medline, OVID, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science.
Review Methods:
Inclusion criteria included studies featuring SSNHL patients presenting with 1+ cardiovascular risk factors. Exclusion criteria included case reports and studies without outcome measures. Two investigators independently reviewed all manuscripts and performed quality assessments using validated tools.
Results:
Of 532 identified abstracts, 27 studies met inclusion criteria (19 case-control, 4 cohorts, 4 case series). Of these, 24 underwent meta-analysis encompassing a total of 77,566 patients (22,620 SSNHL patients, 54,946 matched controls). The mean age was 50.43 years. SSNHL patients were more likely to have concomitant diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 1.61 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31, 1.99; p < .00001]) and hypertension (OR 1.5 [95% CI: 1.16, 1.94; p = .002]). An increased standard mean difference of total cholesterol of 11.09 mg/dL (95% CI; 3.51, 18.67; p = .004) was noted in the SSNHL group compared with the controls. No significant differences in smoking, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, or body mass index were detected.
Conclusion:
Patients presenting with SSNHL have a significantly higher risk of concomitant diabetes, hypertension, and higher total cholesterol in comparison to matched controls. This may indicate a higher cardiovascular risk profile in this population. More prospective and matched cohort studies are needed to understand the role of cardiovascular risk factors in SSNHL.
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