Predictive value of factors influencing recovery from sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Recovery from sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is often very uncertain. Different factors are considered in predicting an outcome. The aim of the study was an evaluation of the hearing improvement in sudden deafness in relation to the duration of symptoms before treatment, the severity of hearing loss, the presence of vertigo and the patient age. A retrospective analysis of 119 patients aged between 16 and 71 years treated for sudden sensorineural hearing loss was carried out. Clinical otolaryngological, neurological and ophthalmological examinations, audiological and ENG tests were carried out. Hearing improvement was obtained in 51 patients (43%). Hearing recovery was recorded in 38 patients (66%) whose duration of disease before treatment was no longer than 7 days, in 9 patients (25%) with a period of 8–14 days and in 4 patients (16%) with a period of 15–30 days (66% vs. 25% vs. 16%, p<0.001, 25% vs. 16%, p=0.39). Hearing improvement was more frequent in patients with initially mild (51.6%) rather than severe (38.7%) and profound hearing loss (25%) (51.5% vs. 25%, p<0.05). Hearing recovery was observed in 18 patients (33.3%) with vertigo and in 33 patients (50.8%) without vertigo (p=0.056). In analysis of age (five groups: below 30, 31–40, 41–50, 51–60 and over 60 years) related to hearing recovery, no difference was found (respectively 45.5% vs. 45.8% vs. 46.4% vs. 37% vs. 38.9%, p=0.94). It was stated that in patients with sudden deafness, the duration of symptoms before treatment and the severity of hearing loss may predict a recovery. The presence of vertigo may worsen an outcome in SSHL, although it was not found to be statistically significant. On the contrary, patient age does not seem an important prognostic factor.