HOW PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PHYSICIANS IN SAUDI ARABIA HANDLE SUDDEN SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

In order to enhance patient outcomes, Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) must be diagnosed and treated quickly. In the early detection and treatment of SSNHL, primary care physicians (PCPs) are essential. The purpose of this study was to assess Saudi Arabian primary healthcare physicians diagnostic abilities, knowledge and practices related to SSNHL.

A cross-sectional survey of 371 PCPs in Saudi Arabia was carried out. An electronic questionnaire measuring participants knowledge, diagnosis and management methods, referral practices of SSNHL was used to gather data. SPSS version 26 was used for the statistical analysis, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant.

124 (33.4%) of participants showed good knowledge, 123 (33.2%) fair knowledge, and 124 (33.4%) poor knowledge, with a mean knowledge score of 10.58±3.85. Most physicians 282 (76%) attempted to differentiate between sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, primarily using tuning fork tests 261 (70.4%) and audiological evaluations 258 (69%). While 327 (88.1%) recognized SSNHL as requiring urgent referral for audiological testing, only 184 (49.6%) could accurately define the condition within the critical 72-hour window. Corticosteroids were prescribed by 138 (37.2%) for suspected SSNHL and 185 (49.9%) for confirmed cases. Good knowledge was significantly associated with fewer years of practice, urban-based patient care, and walk-in clinic settings (p<0.05).

Although the majority of Saudi Arabian PCPs agree that SSNHL is urgent, there are still gaps in their understanding and adherence to evidence-based practices. To increase diagnostic accuracy, timely referrals, and the effective management of SSNHL cases, more training and education are advised.