[A statistical analysis of sudden deafness]

The present study was carried out in order to determine factors which influenced the prognosis of sudden deafness and to try to predict the prognosis of sudden deafness, analyzed statistically by multivariate analysis. A total of 143 patients with sudden deafness diagnosed and treated at the department of otolaryngology, Ebetsu Municipal General Hospital and Obihiro Kohsei Hospital between 1986 and 1991, were selected for this study. Statistical analysis disclosed the following. 1. A good hearing level at the initial visit, a low-frequency hearing loss, the absence of vestibular symptoms and an initial visit within seven days after onset, indicate a good prognosis for sudden deafness. 2. Multivariate analysis showed that the hearing level at the initial visit most strongly influences sudden deafness, followed by the number of days from onset to initial visit, vestibular symptoms and the difference between low- and high-frequency hearing level, in that order. 3. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that the prognosis of sudden deafness can be predicted at a level of 78.3%, considering the above four factors. This facilitates treatment of patients with sudden deafness.