[Inner ear hearing loss--predisposing factor in acute disorders of inner ear function (sudden deafness and vestibular...

49% of 111 patients with sudden hearing loss had pre-existing inner ear damage to a greater extent than would be expected in a population of the same age. The same age-independent hearing loss of inner ear type was seen in 44% of 72 patients with a sudden unilateral isolated vestibular loss. The accumulated occurrence of diseases of the cardial-vascular system, metabolism, and cervical spine is suggested as the reason for the greater extent of inner ear damage with respect of age and the acute disorders in this area. The high proportion of a pre-existing noise deafness in patients (in 38% of men) with sudden hearing loss suggests an increased vulnerability of the inner ear in pre-existing hearing loss.