Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in Japan

Abstract

ConclusionAn epidemiological survey of hospitals and private clinics in Japan regarding idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) revealed that the incidence of SSNHL was 60.9 per 100 000 population. There were more females than males in the younger generation.ObjectiveThe incidence of SSNHL varies largely by country. Because the Japanese criteria for diagnosing SSNHL have changed in accordance with those widely used in other parts of the world, a clinicoepidemiological study was undertaken using the new criteria.MethodsEhime, Aichi, and Iwate Prefectures were selected from the western, central, and northeastern regions of Japan, respectively. The subjects for this study were patients who suffered SSNHL between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. Questionnaires were mailed to all hospitals and private clinics in which ENT doctors were working. Initial and final audiograms were requested for 10% of the patients.ResultsIn all, 78 of 90 hospitals (87%) and 303 of 407 private clinics (74%) responded. It was reported that 1663 patients visited hospitals and 3090 patients visited only private clinics. It was estimated that 6205 SSNHL patients visited hospitals or private clinics in 1 year from a population of 10 145 000. Also, 23% of patients suffered acute low-tone SNHL (female to male ratio; 3:1 in definite cases).

Relationships among drinking and smoking habits, history of diseases, body mass index and idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss in Japanese patients

“…Idiopathic SSNHL is reported to occur in 5-20 per 100,000 persons per year [1]. However, in Japan, the prevalence of idiopathic SSNHL was reported to be 60.9 per 100,000 persons, which is higher than the incidence reported in the previous study [1,2]. This difference may be caused by the method of data collection.…”

“…This difference may be caused by the method of data collection. In the previous study, private otolaryngology clinics were included in survey, and authors found that 65% of SSNHL patients only visited private clinics [2]. Epidemiological study of idiopathic SSNHL is therefore warranted in order to clarify risk factors.…”

Epidemiological survey of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss

“…The incidence of definite ALHL is reported to be 42.8-65.8 per 100,000 population in Japan [3] and to account for 18% of idiopathic SSNHL patients in Japan [4]. ALHL is a common presentation, but it has not received much attention in the literature with no large-scale epidemiological studies of ALHL, in particular, reported to date.…”

The effect of initial treatment on hearing prognosis in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a nationwide survey in Japan

“…The latest epidemiological survey of hospitals and clinics in Japan revealed that the incidence of idiopathic SSNHL was 60.9 per 100,000 population [1]. Little is known about the pathogenesis of idiopathic SSNHL, but several treatments have been proposed that cover the possible underlying mechanisms of disease, such as viral infection, intracochlear membrane rupture, and vascular compromise [2,3].…”