The role of word recognition score in outcomes assessmentof idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Objective:To investigate the change of word recognition score(WRS) during the treatment of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss(ISSNHL) and explore the role of WRS in outcomes assessment of ISSNHL.Method:Thirty-seven patients diagnosed with ISSNHL,whose pure-tone average(PTA) has no change but WRS has improved after treatment,were analyzed retrospectively.The WRS and the test intensity for WRS of pre-treatment and those of post-treatment were compared statistically.Result:There is statistical significance between WRS of post-treatment and that of pre-treatment(P<0.01).The increase of WRS score is consistent with improvement of symptom in these patients.Conclusion:More attention needs to be paid to WRS during treatment of ISSNHL patients,especially those whose PTA has no improvement but patients feel better about their hearing,and WRS could be an important factor in terms of outcome assessment during treatment of ISSNHL patients for the further treatment.