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Original ArticleOpen Access
Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Yimtae K 
,
Srirompotong S ,
Kraitrakul S
,
Srirompotong S ,
Kraitrakul S KWANCHANOK YIMTAE, M.D.*,
SUPAPORN SRIROMPOTONG, M.D.*,
SUTHEE KRAITRAKUL, M.D.*
Background
: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is one of the most controversial
unsolved mysteries in Otolaryngology. Lack of a universally accepted definition of sudden
sensorineural hearing loss, insufficient knowledge of pathogenesis, lack of a standard method for
evaluating the patients, in addition to a high spontaneous recovery rate, all complicate the study
of sensorineural hearing loss and the investigation of different treatment modalities.
Objective
: To study the clinical manifestation and prognostic factors, which influence
the recovery of hearing in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Patients and Method
: Patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss who
were admitted to Srinagarind Hospital from January 1994 to December 1998 were included. The
clinical manifestations, audiograms and investigations of these patients were analysed.
Results
: Of the fifty-six patients, who met the criterion, 34 were females and 22
males. The average age of onset was 43.7 years (SD
=
13.46, range
=
13-66 years). The onset of
hearing loss was sudden in 50 per cent of cases, whereas, 46.4 per cent of cases were noted on
awakening in the morning and the remainder had rapidly progressive hearing loss. The hearing
loss was unilateral in 92.9 per cent of cases. 96.4 per cent of the patients had tinnitus and 66.1
per cent of the patients had vertigo. 64.3 per cent of the patients had some degree of recovery
(complete recovery in 28.6% and partial recovery in 35.7%). The severity of hearing loss signifi-
cantly influenced the outcome of the patients.
Conclusion
: Approximately two-thirds of the patients with idiopathic sudden hearing
loss had some degree of recovery. Among contributing factors, only the severity of hearing loss
significantly influenced the prognosis.
Key word
: Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Idiopathic, Prognosis
SUPAPORN SRIROMPOTONG, M.D.*,
SUTHEE KRAITRAKUL, M.D.*
Background
: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is one of the most controversial
unsolved mysteries in Otolaryngology. Lack of a universally accepted definition of sudden
sensorineural hearing loss, insufficient knowledge of pathogenesis, lack of a standard method for
evaluating the patients, in addition to a high spontaneous recovery rate, all complicate the study
of sensorineural hearing loss and the investigation of different treatment modalities.
Objective
: To study the clinical manifestation and prognostic factors, which influence
the recovery of hearing in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
Patients and Method
: Patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss who
were admitted to Srinagarind Hospital from January 1994 to December 1998 were included. The
clinical manifestations, audiograms and investigations of these patients were analysed.
Results
: Of the fifty-six patients, who met the criterion, 34 were females and 22
males. The average age of onset was 43.7 years (SD
=
13.46, range
=
13-66 years). The onset of
hearing loss was sudden in 50 per cent of cases, whereas, 46.4 per cent of cases were noted on
awakening in the morning and the remainder had rapidly progressive hearing loss. The hearing
loss was unilateral in 92.9 per cent of cases. 96.4 per cent of the patients had tinnitus and 66.1
per cent of the patients had vertigo. 64.3 per cent of the patients had some degree of recovery
(complete recovery in 28.6% and partial recovery in 35.7%). The severity of hearing loss signifi-
cantly influenced the outcome of the patients.
Conclusion
: Approximately two-thirds of the patients with idiopathic sudden hearing
loss had some degree of recovery. Among contributing factors, only the severity of hearing loss
significantly influenced the prognosis.
Key word
: Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Idiopathic, Prognosis
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