The Relationship of Intra-Annual Distribution of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss versus Meteorological Parameters

Abstract

Received June 12, 2014 Revised August 8, 2014 Accepted August 8, 2014 Address for correspondence Sung Il Cho, MD, PhD Department of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, Chosun University School of Medicine, 365 Pilmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-717, Korea Tel +82-62-220-3207 Fax +82-62-225-2702 E-mail chosi@chosun.ac.kr Background and ObjectivesZZThe influence of specific meteorological conditions, such as temperature, wind velocity, fine dust and their co-variation on the incidence of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) has been rarely investigated. Aiming at better predictions of the seasonal variation of ISSHL, we investigated variations in the monthly incidence of ISSHL and meteorological parameters. Subjects and MethodZZOne-hundred-five patients who had been diagnosed with ISSHL were analyzed. Monthly incidence counts were analyzed for incidence distributions throughout the year. The incidence counts were investigated according to age groups and hearing recovery. The relationship between intra-annual distribution of ISSHL and meteorological parameters was compared. ResultsZZThe highest of monthly incidence was found in March and April. Intra-annual distribution of ISSHL was well correlated with daily temperature range, wind velocity and fine dust. The incidence of ISSHL was significantly correlated to fine dust. The distribution of age group and hearing recovery of ISSHL in March and April were not different with the rest of the year. ConclusionZZWe concluded that ISSHL incidences are significantly related to seasonal variation and the highest is found in March and April. This provides valuable information for clinicians, creating an awareness of periods of potentially increased risk. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2014;57(12):826-9