Vertigo as a prognostic factor in sudden hearing loss

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Audiology
• Neurology

Background:

• Unilateral sudden hearing loss (USH L) is an otologic emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and management.
• The presence of vertigo in USHL patients is a significant clinical sign, but its prognostic value is debated.
• Understanding factors influencing hearing recovery in USHL is crucial for patient counseling and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between vertigo and the characteristics of hearing loss in patients with unilateral sudden hearing loss.
• To evaluate the impact of vertigo on hearing recovery outcomes in patients with USHL.
• To correlate audiometric findings (severity and pattern) with the presence of vertigo in USHL.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 87 patients diagnosed with unilateral sudden hearing loss.
• Patients were categorized into two groups: those with and without accompanying vertigo.
• Audiometric evaluations assessed initial hearing loss severity and tonal audiogram patterns; hearing recovery was monitored.

Main Results:

• Vertigo was present in 25% of the investigated USHL patients.
• Vertigo was more frequently observed in patients with severe high-frequency hearing loss.
• Patients experiencing vertigo showed significantly poorer high-frequency hearing recovery compared to those without vertigo, despite similar initial hearing loss.

Conclusions:

• Vertigo is a common accompanying symptom in unilateral sudden hearing loss, particularly associated with severe high-frequency deficits.
• The presence of vertigo indicates a poorer prognosis for high-frequency hearing recovery in USHL patients.
• Audiological assessment and consideration of vertigo are essential for predicting outcomes in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.