Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Background: To explore the relevant risk factors of poor prognosis in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), constructing prognostic prediction model, formulating effective treatment strategies, and providing reliable theoretical basis for clinical prevention of and treatment for poor prognosis in SSNHL. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 123 patients with SSNHL who received treatment at Zhongxian People's Hospital of Chongqing from March 2022 to March 2024. According to the prognosis, they were divided into an effective group (68 cases with an average hearing threshold increase of ≥15 dB, as good prognosis) and an ineffective group (55 cases with an average hearing threshold increase of <15 dB, as poor prognosis). The clinical data from the two patient groups were subjected to both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, allowing for the identification of factors associated with the prognosis of patients with SSHNL. The prediction accuracy of the model was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: The results of univariate analysis showed that patients with disease onset time ≥7 days (X² = 35.54, P < .01), past hearing loss (X² = 5.05, P = .03), combined vertigo (X² = 9.45, P < .01), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (t = 0.46, P = .04) were associated with poor prognosis of SSNHL. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that disease onset time ≥7 days [odds ratio (OR) = 0.09, P < .01], combined vertigo (OR = 0.24, P < .01), and NLR (OR = 0.92, P = .036) were independent risk factors for the poor prognosis of SSNHL. These factors could also be used as reliable indicators to predict the poor prognosis of SSNHL [area under the ROC curves = 0.766, 0.612, 0.553 respectively]. Conclusion: Disease onset time ≥7 days, combined vertigo, and NLR are independent risk factors and reliable indicators to predict the poor prognosis of SSNHL. Treatment strategies should be developed for high-risk patients of the above types to reduce the occurrence of poor prognosis.