Delayed Recovery in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

Sudden hearing loss is an easily encountered disease in clinics, but its prognosis has not been completely elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the long-term prognosis of sudden hearing loss with 130 patients who were diagnosed based on strict criteria and provided uniform treatment. The patients with incomplete recovery were reevaluated after 2 months without receiving additional treatment. Hearing levels at different time points were compared. Moreover, the associated factors affecting the degree of hearing improvement over time were evaluated using stepwise multiple linear regression. After treatment, 73 out of the 130 (56.1%) patients attained incomplete recovery and were reevaluated after 2 months. Seventeen out of the seventy-three (23.3%) patients showed a grade promotion, fifty-four (74%) were constant, and two (2.7%) were aggravated. The mean interaural hearing differences (IHDs) showed significant improvement. Old age, poor initial IHD, and poor recovery grade were significantly associated with a profitable delayed hearing gain. Poorer hearing level at the time of onset might be a sign for slower recovery rather than a poorer prognostic factor. The treatment outcome of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) should be evaluated at least 2 months after treatment completion, and counseling is required due to the need for long-term follow-up in patients with ISSNHL.

Vulnerable frequency as an independent prognostic factor for sudden sensorineural hearing loss

“…Finally, we have a short follow-up period. Although several current literatures suggest that the long-term follow-up hearing changes are 4–5 dB ( 47 – 49 ), which is not higher than the test error of the pure-tone hearing threshold clearly stated in the AAO-HNS guidelines ( 1 ). In other words, whether this level of hearing improvement is really clinically meaningful remains to be viewed rationally.…”