Prospective Short-Term Observation for Spontaneous Recovery of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurology
• Audiology

Background:

• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an otologic emergency with variable prognoses.
• Early identification of recovery predictors and effective treatments is crucial for managing SSNHL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the spontaneous recovery rate of SSNHL within the first week of onset.
• To evaluate the efficacy of corticosteroid treatment in SSNHL patients who do not show early recovery.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, non-randomized comparative study conducted at a tertiary academic medical center.
• Patients presenting within 3 days of SSNHL onset were observed for 1 week.
• Corticosteroid therapy was administered to patients with insufficient early recovery, with outcomes assessed via pure-tone average (PTA), word recognition score (WRS), and hearing gain.

Main Results:

• Out of 41 patients, 13 (31.7%) experienced spontaneous recovery within 1 week.
• Initial PTA was the sole significant predictor of spontaneous recovery (cutoff 71 dB, AUC=0.934).
• Corticosteroid treatment significantly improved PTA in patients with limited early recovery (mean change: 33.8±23.9 dB).

Conclusions:

• Spontaneous recovery occurs in approximately one-third of SSNHL cases within the first week.
• Initial PTA serves as a strong predictor for spontaneous hearing recovery in SSNHL.
• Corticosteroid therapy offers significant hearing improvement for SSNHL patients lacking early recovery.