Audiological characteristics and exploratory treatment of a rare condition of acute-otitis-media-associated sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Abstract

BACKGROUNDAcute otitis media (AOM) is a common disease that is more prevalent in children. Most studies concerning AOM-associated sudden sensorineural hearing loss are case reports and retrospective in nature, hence the etiology of AOM-associated sudden hearing loss has not been fully established.AIMTo analyze audiological characteristics of AOM-associated sudden hearing loss and evaluate efficacy of combined tympanostomy tube placement (TTP) and intratympanic methylprednisolone.METHODSEight adult patients who were diagnosed with AOM-associated sudden hearing loss and ineffectively treated by conventional medical therapy were enrolled in this study. Basic data were collected, and pure tone audiometry was performed to assess the audiological characteristics. Combination therapy with TTP and intratympanic methylprednisolone injection was given to the patients.RESULTSMixed or sensorineural hearing loss was observed at high frequencies (2–4 kHz). All the cases in this study were cured after TTP and intratympanic methylprednisolone. After treatment, the average hearing threshold at affected frequencies was significantly lower than those in the pretreatment group (P < 0.05) and was similar to that in the healthy ears (P > 0.05).CONCLUSIONAOM rarely induces sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Combination therapy with TTP and intratympanic methylprednisolone injection may be effective after failure of conventional medical treatment.