Sudden hearing loss: eight years' experience and suggested prognostic table

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Sudden hearing loss (SHL) has varied descriptions in literature regarding its etiology, incidence, prognosis, and treatment.
• Understanding prognostic indicators is crucial for managing SHL patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively investigate the prognosis and identify key indicators for sudden hearing loss (SHL).
• To evaluate the effectiveness of current treatments for SHL compared to spontaneous recovery.

Main Methods:

• An 8-year prospective study of 225 patients with sudden hearing loss (SHL).
• Data collection included initial hearing loss severity, vertigo presence, time to audiogram, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, age, audiogram configuration, and contralateral ear hearing status.

Main Results:

• Overall recovery (normal or complete) was observed in 45% of SHL patients.
• Late otologic complications occurred in 28% of patients.
• Significant prognostic indicators identified: initial hearing loss severity, vertigo, time to audiogram, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, age extremes ( <15 or >60 years), midfrequency audiogram configuration, and contralateral ear hearing status.

Conclusions:

• A common inflammatory cause is hypothesized for all degrees of SHL.
• A prognostic table was developed to assist practitioners in predicting SHL recovery.
• Current evidence does not support treatments yielding better outcomes than spontaneous recovery for sudden hearing loss.