Acute Low-tone Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients Research Articles

The Significance of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Acute Low Tone Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Background and Objectives Acute low tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL), an acuteonset hearing loss limited to low tone, was thought to be a subtype of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) but also considered as new disease entity because it shows quite different symptoms, progress, and prognosis. More recently, however, it is thought that SSNHL results from chronic inflammation and thrombosis. Some studies have reported that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were high in SSNHL patients, and that they were significant as prognostic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of NLR and PLR in ALHL.Subjects and Method From January 2009 to June 2019, we retrospectively studied 58 patients who were diagnosed with ALHL. Characteristics of patients such as sex, age, symptoms and signs, the results of serologic test and pure tone audiometry were evaluated for recovery and for recurrence. Also, we selected 58 people with the same age as control group.Results A total of 167 patients were identified, of whom a half was diagnosed with ALHL and the other half with were the control group. Among the 58 patients, the mean age was 38.0±14.5 years old, and 10 (17.2%) patients were male and 48 (82.8%) patients were female. Among the patients, 35 (60.3%) were hospitalized and 23 (39.7%) were outpatients. For recovery, 38 (65.5%) patients fully recovered while 11 (19.0%) partially recovered, and 9 (15.5%) did not recover. Additionally, 16 (27.6%) patients recurred later with similar symptoms. Between the patient group and control group, there were significant differences in the total white blood cell count, neutrophil count, NLR and PLR (<i>p</i>=0.015, 0.001, 0.002, and 0.025), but there was no significant differences between the recovery group and non-recovery group in any laboratory findings. Also, NLR and PLR showed no significant differences between the recurred group and non-recurred group.Conclusion NLR and PLR in ALHL patients were relatively high compared to the control group, but there were no significant differences between the recovery group and non-recovery group. Furthermore, there was no correlation between NLR and PLR with recurrence. High NLR and PLR values in ALHL patients might reflect its inflammatory etiology, but there is lack evidence for them to serve as prognostic factors.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the endolymphatic space in patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to measure the volume of the endolymphatic space (ELS) and to investigate prognosis in patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL). MethodsA total of 61 ALHL patients participated; 47 were definite while 14 were probable ALHL cases. The definite ALHL patients were classified into three groups: A, “Cure”; B, “No cure”; and C, “Recurrence.” Also, nine patients for whom diagnosis changed from ALHL to cochlear Meniere’s disease (cMD) without vertigo (ALHL-cMD group). Images of the inner ear fluid space, positive perilymph, and positive endolymph were acquired using a 3T magnetic resonance scanner. Three-dimensional (3D) images were semi-automatically reconstructed using anatomical and tissue information to fuse the 3D images of the inner ear fluid space with the 3D ELS images. ResultsPatients in the no cure group showed a significantly higher ELS/total fluid space (TFS) volume ratio in the affected cochlear region than the patients of the other groups. Additionally, the affected vestibular ELS/TFS volume ratio in the cure group was significantly lower than that in the recurrence group. There were significantly higher cochlear and vestibular ELS/TFS ratios in ALHL-cMD patients than in control subjects. ConclusionsThese results indicate that the cochlear ELS/TFS volume ratio should be considered when investigating the extent of recovery, while the extended ELS in the vestibule should be considered when investigating cases of recurrence. Thus, our study suggests that the severe extended ELS appeared likely to change to cMD and that the prognostic determination of ALHL is possible.

Magnetic resonance-based volumetric measurement of the endolymphatic space in patients with Meniere’s disease and other endolymphatic hydrops-related diseases

ObjectiveTo employ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the volume of the inner ear endolymphatic space (ELS) in patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL), sudden deafness (SD), cochlear Meniere’s disease (cMD), and unilateral MD (uMD) compared with control subjects (CS) with chronic rhinosinusitis. MethodsForty-one patients with ALHL, 82 with SD, 48 with cMD, 72 with uMD, and 47 CS participated in the study. With the exception of all uMD patients, none of the subjects had vertigo. Images of the inner ear fluid space, positive perilymph signal, and positive endolymph signal were acquired using a 3-T MRI scanner. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed semi-automatically by using anatomical and tissue information to fuse the inner ear fluid space images and the ELS images. ResultsThe cochlear ELS/total fluid space (TFS) volume ratio was 10.2±6.7% (mean±standard deviation) in the CS group, 12.1±5.7% in ALHL patients, 15.2±8.7% in SD patients, 18.1±8.2% in cMD patients, and 21.9±16.4% in uMD patients. The vestibular ELS/TFS volume ratio was 17.7±10.2% in the CS group, 18.9±8.3% in ALHL patients, 19.9±11.3% in SD patients, 22.5±13.7% in cMD patients, and 35.7±24.1% in uMD patients. The cochlear ELS/TFS volume ratio in patients with uMD was similar to that in the cMD group and significantly higher than that in the CS, ALHL, and SD groups (CS=ALHL<SD<cMD=uMD: p<0.05 for CS vs. SD and p<0.01 for CS vs. cMD). The vestibular ELS/TFS volume ratio in patients with uMD was significantly higher than that in the CS and all other patient groups (CS=ALHL=SD=cMD<uMD: p<0.01 for uMD vs. all other groups). ConclusionThe cochlear ELS volume of patients with MD and other endolymphatic hydrops-related diseases differed from that of CS. Our results suggest that ALHL may not be caused by endolymphatic hydrops. We confirmed the presence of extended ELS in patients with SD.

Comorbid Symptoms Occurring During Acute Low-Tone Hearing Loss (AHLH) as Potential Predictors of Menière's Disease.

Acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) is a type of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. ALHL is rarely a solitary condition but rather co-occurs with vertigo and tinnitus, being an element of contemporary diagnostic criteria for Menière's disease (MD). The goal of our present study was to determine the value of ALHL for the early diagnosis of MD in patients presenting in the emergency room with ALHL as a main complaint. The files of 106 patients with ALHL who were admitted to the emergency room over the period of 7 years and 104 patients with acute high- tone sensorineural hearing loss (AHHL) from the same period were included in this retrospective study. Forty ALHL patients presented with recurrent episode of hearing loss and 66 remaining patients presented with ALHL for the first time. Of the latter group, 25 patients gave consent for the follow-up. First, we analyzed the difference in the occurrence of tinnitus and vertigo between the ALHL and AHHL groups. In patients with ALHL, the incidence of vertigo with tinnitus and the number of recurrent episodes were statistically higher than in patients with AHHL. Next, we focused on the ALHL follow-up group (25 patients). In that group, two patients had all MD symptoms at presentation, 18 had ALHL and tinnitus and five ALHL only. Of 18 patients with ALHL and tinnitus at admission, five developed vertigo and thus the triad of Menière's disease. None of the five patients with AHLH as a sole symptom developed MD during the follow-up time but four of them have developed tinnitus. Patients with recurrent ALHL had significantly higher incidence of MD than the patients with first episode. We conclude that some patients who present with ALHL and concomitant tinnitus or have recurrent episodes of ALHL are more likely to develop Menière's disease than these patients, who present with ALHL as a sole symptom. Nonetheless, we recommend otological follow-up for all patients presenting with ALHL.

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss: a comparison of the results of a nationwide epidemiological survey in Japan

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), and acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) using the results of a nationwide survey database in Japan and to analyze the variables associated with their clinical features and the severity of hearing impairment, treatment, and prognosis.Methods: Participants were patients registered between April 2014 and March 2016 in a multicenter epidemiological survey database involving 30 university hospitals and medical centers across Japan. Statistical analysis was performed to clarify the factors associated with their clinical characteristics and the severity of hearing impairment, treatment, and prognosis.Results: Idiopathic SSNHL and ALHL differed significantly in terms of male-to-female ratio, age distribution, and time from onset to start of treatment. The treatment methods and hearing prognosis also differed markedly between the two diseases. A majority (92%) of idiopathic SSNHL patients were administered some type of corticosteroid, while half of the ALHL patients received corticosteroids and a diuretic agent.Conclusion: The results suggested that idiopathic SSNHL and ALHL belonged to different categories of inner ear disease.

Analyses of prognostic factors relevant to acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss

Objective: To investigate the prognostic factors relevant to acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL). Methods: 196 adult ALHL patients, including 82 males and 114 females with mean age of (43.1±14.3)years old were included. All patients received the same therapy and were evaluated the curative effect. To evaluate the impact factors on the prognosis of hearing, inclusive of age, gender, time delay before the first visit, degree of deafness, vestibular function, electrocochleogram, and the serum levels of thyroxines by SPSS 18.0 software. Results: Of those 196 patients with ALHL, 124(63.3%) were recovery, 5(2.6%) were excellent better, 42(21.4%) were better, and 25 (12.8%) were poor, with a total effective rate of 87.2%. Among 15 (12.1%) who recurred the hearing loss, 2 developed into Meniere's disease during the follow-up. The mean age of patients with poor hearing effect was significantly older than that of other patients (P<0.05). No relativity was found between gender and hearing curative effect. There existed a statistical difference in total effective rate among subjects with different histories (P<0.05). In addition, the recovery rate was significantly different between groups, i. e., the course of disease was less than 14 days, between 14 days and 6 months, and between 6 months and 2 years (P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in total effective rate among different degrees of deafness (P>0.05). However, in term of the recovery rate, the difference was statistical significance (P<0.05). The recovery rate in patients with mild hearing loss was higher than that in middle or heavy hearing loss (both P<0.05). Among patients with mild deafness, the recovery rate in patients whose history was less than 3 months was significantly higher than that more than 3 months (P<0.05). For moderate deafness patients, the recovery rate in patients whose history was less than 7 days was significantly higher than that more than 1 month (P<0.05). There were statistical differences in hearing effect of 130 (66.3%) patients with abnormal vestibular function in comparison to that with normal vestibular function (χ2=15.1, P<0.05). There were 17(8.7%) patients with abnormal electrocochleogram combined with abnormal vestibular function, and the hearing effects were all poor. There were 45 (23.0%) patients with abnormal thyroxine levels in serum, which was significant higher than that in health adults of 5.9%(χ2=7.26, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in hearing prognosis between patients with abnormal and normal thyroxine levels (χ2=2.51, P>0.05). Conclusions: With respect to ALHL, the hearing effect is associated significantly with the history. The severity of hearing loss is negative prognostic factor for hearing recovery. Age, vestibular function, and electrocochleogram might predict hearing recovery. Gender and thyroxine levels couldn't predict the hearing prognosis, although there is a high incidence rate in patients with ALHL.

Clinical characteristics of sudden low-tone hearing loss

Objective:We aimed to investigate the prognosis and clinical characteristics of patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss(ALHL) and the patients with sudden low-tone loss who were not classified in the audiometric definition ALHL of(non-ALHL).Method:Two hundred and seven patients diagnosed at the university hospital with idiopathic sudden low-tone loss of sensorineural hearing loss including 48 ALHL and 159 non- ALHL from Jan 2010 to Dec 2015.The patients were followed up in the long term with three months to 5 years.The rates of recurrence and/or progression to Ménière's disease for patients with ALHL were compared with those for non-ALHL patients.Result:The recurrence rate was 26.4% for non-ALHL and 16.7% for ALHL.There was statistically significant difference between the two patient groups.In ALHL patients,8.8% patients progressed to Ménière's disease,1.9% was diagnosised with acoustic neuroma and 5.7% with vestibular migraine.In non-ALHL patients,4.2% patients progressed to Ménière's disease.Conclusion:In clinical practice,sudden low-tone loss other than ALHL shows a potential for recurrence and progressed to Ménière's disease.

The Short- and Long-Term Outcome of Intratympanic Steroid Therapy as a Salvage Treatment for Acute Low-Tone Sensorineural Hearing Loss without Episodes of Vertigo

Objectives: To evaluate the hearing outcomes of intratympanic steroid (ITS) treatment for patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) after failure of initial therapy and to investigate the recurrence and progression to definite Ménière's disease (MD) during a long-term follow-up. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 90 patients with refractory ALHL who were followed up for at least 1 year between January 2000 and April 2014. Patients who responded poorly to initial medical treatment received intratympanic dexamethasone injections (ITS group) or isosorbide administration for 4 weeks (diuretic group) as salvage treatment options according to their choice of management. The control group did not receive ITS or the diuretic, due to their refusal of both medical treatments. The hearing outcomes were evaluated 1 month, 1 year and 5 years after the completion of the second-line therapy, and the rates of recurrence and progression to MD were measured during a follow-up period of at least 1 year. Results: Twenty-seven patients in the ITS group, 39 patients in the diuretic group and 24 patients in the control group were enrolled. Of these, 12 patients in the ITS group, 15 patients in the diuretic group and 12 patients in the control group were followed up for over 5 years. We found that the recovery rates and the audiometric functional values after 1 month and 1 year in the ITS group were significantly higher than those in the diuretic and control groups. However, there were no significant differences in the recovery rates or the audiometric functional values after 5 years, or in the rates of recurrence and progression to MD between the groups. Conclusions: Salvage ITS therapy can provide a relatively good short-term hearing outcome for ALHL patients who have persistent hearing loss despite conventional treatment. However, both recurrence and progression to MD after treatment were observed in some patients during the long-term follow-up.

Short-Term Outcomes of Acute Low-Tone Sensorineural Hearing Loss According to Treatment Modality.

Background and ObjectivesWe compared improvements in hearing thresholds in acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) patients after two different treatments: steroid alone and steroid and diuretic combined. We analyzed how the duration between the onset of symptoms and the initiation of treatment affected hearing loss improvement and investigated the relation between presence of vertigo in ALHL patients and ALHL progression to Ménière's disease (MD).Subjects and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 47 ALHL patients aged 21 to 76 years. Patients received either orally administered steroid alone (n=12) or steroid and diuretic combined (n=35). We compared improvements in the two groups' hearing thresholds at three lower frequencies (125, 250, and 500 Hz) after participants had received one month of each respective treatment.ResultsOur two treatments did not show any statistical difference in hearing loss improvement after one month. Forty percent of ALHL patients with vertigo developed MD, which was a significantly higher rate than the 12.5% of ALHL patients without vertigo who developed MD. The shorter duration between the onset of symptoms and the initiation of treatment significantly increased improvement in the sum of lower frequency hearing threshold after one month.ConclusionsThe current study suggests that steroid and diuretic administered together and steroid alone similarly improve the hearing threshold in ALHL patients after one month. We concluded that patients should initiate ALHL treatment as soon as they experience symptoms. ALHL patients should also be notified of their higher risk of developing MD.

Endolymphatic Hydrops Revealed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Acute Low-Tone Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) has been reported to be associated with endolymphatic hydrops (EHs). However, evaluation of the size of the endolymphatic space has not been reported. We attempted to visualize EH in ALHL using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Prospective diagnostic study. University hospital. We evaluated 25 ears of 25 unilateral ALHL patients. Three-tesla MRI was obtained 24 hours after intratympanic injection of gadolinium (Gd) (n = 5) or 4 hours after intravenous injection of Gd (n = 20). A radiologist blinded to the patients' clinical data classified the degree of EH in the vestibule and cochlea into 3 groups: none, mild, and significant. On the affected sides, cochlear EH was recognized in 23 ears (92%) and was classified as significant EH (n = 15) or mild EH (n = 8); vestibular EH was detected in 22 ears (88%), classified as significant EH (n = 16) or mild EH (n = 6). Cochlear EH was more frequently observed in the affected ear than in the contralateral ear (90% versus 40%, p < 0.05). In ALHL, EH was observed not only in the cochlea but also in the vestibule as in Ménière's disease.

Outcome in patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss by administration of different doses of glucocorticoids

Aimed to compare the outcome in patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) treated with different doses of glucocorticoids. Fifty-four ALHL patients were randomly divided into no-prednisone group (n = ten), low-dose prednisone group (n = 22) and high-dose prednisone group (n = 22). All patients were treated for ten days and followed up for six months from the initial examination. The cure rates(complete recovery)were 30.0%, 59.1%, 90.9% respectively and the improved rates (complete recovery and partial recovery) were 40.0%, 86.4%, 95.5% respectively in the three groups of no prednisone group, low-dose prednisone group and high-dose prednisone group. The low-dose prednisone group therapy for ALHL showed significant improved rates than the no prednisone group (P < 0.05). The high-dose prednisone group therapy for ALHL showed significant cure rates than the low-dose prednisone group (P < 0.05). High-dose glucocorticoids is more effective than low dose. It is suggested that the etiology of ALHL is related with both an endolymphatic hydrops and an autoimmunological mechanism.

Prognosis of sudden low-tone loss other than acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss

Conclusion: In clinical practice, sudden low-tone loss other than acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) shows a potential for recurrence. Objective: ALHL is often associated with recurrence and/or progression to Ménière's disease. We examined the prognosis of patients with sudden low-tone loss who were not classified in the audiometric definition of ALHL. Methods: Sixty-three patients diagnosed at the university hospital with idiopathic sudden low-tone loss of sensorineural hearing loss and without subjective vertigo were followed up in the long term with a mean of over 4 years. The rates of recurrence and/or progression to Ménière's disease for patients with low-tone loss type other than ALHL (non-ALHL) were compared with those for ALHL patients. Results: The recovery rate at the initial treatment was 47.6% for non-ALHL and 62.9% for ALHL. A Kaplan–Meier plot indicated that cumulative recurrence rates for non-ALHL were 20.2% at 1 year and 43.5% at 5 years, whereas the rates for ALHL were 12.2% at 1 year and 31.3% at 5 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the two patient groups.

実地医家における急性低音障害型感音難聴の対応

This study was performed on 73 patients (58 females and 15 males) with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) without vertigo, who visited my clinic from 2002 to 2004.These patients were investigated and under long-term observation for more than 2 years to study their condition, prognosis, treatment, and background.The increase in ALHL patients (especially female) in the last 3 years was remarkable. This increase maybe caused by stress, depression, or autonomic disorder.Outpatients with ALHL were administered 15mg of predonisolone per day for 5 days in my clinic, and then the dose was gradually reduced. Eighty-six percent of patients responded well to the treatment.However, a recurrence of hearing loss occurred in 20 patients (27.4%), with 5 of these patients (5.5%) later developing Meniere's disease.Recently, the ALHL patients were sent questionnaires with SRQ-D by post. Our results (69.1% response rate) shed light on the problems concerning the level of satisfaction after treatment and the quality of life (QOL).These findings suggested that long-term follow up and assertive psychosomatic approaches are necessary in the future to evaluate the clinical progress and prognosis of patients with ALHL.

急性低音障害型感音難聴における両側性の検討

Bilaterality in acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) is more generally recognized than that in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Subjects were 274 patients diagnosed with ALHL based on criteria of a study group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan, i.e., total of 3 low tone hearing of 70dB or more and, a total of 3 high-tone hearing of 60dB or less, and treated at the departments of otolaryngology at Yamanashi University and Suwa Central Hospital. ALHL involving bilateral ears symptoms and/or bilateral hearing impairment conforming to diagnostic criteria was selected and summarized. Clinical ear symptoms, clinical test results, and hearing levels (total 3 low tone hearing, 1kHz, and total of 3 high-tone hearing) were statistically analyzed. We also reviewed Japanese clinical reports of ALHL that include bilateral cases. In 32 cases (11.7%) of 274 cases, both ear symptoms and hearing impairment were bilateral. In 22 (8.0%) of the 274, bilateral ear symptoms were present, but showed unilateral hearing loss conforming to diagnostic criteria. Another 22 (8.0%) out the 274 reported unilateral ear symptoms, but hearing tests indicated bilateral ALHL. A total of 76 cases (27.7%) of the 274 had bilaterality in either ear symptoms or hearing loss. Our review indicated that 9.0% (162 of 1803) ALHL patients were bilaterally affected, possibly indicating that AIHL includes a larger number of bilateral cases than currently assumed, if the opposite side were given a especially detailed clinical interview. Statistical analysis (Mann Whitney test, P<0.01) of hearing of unilateral cases indicated that 3 low tone hearing was more affected than 3 high-tone hearing, even on the normal side. These results indicate that ALHL tends to be bilateral, possibly due to the mechanism of pathogenesis, and also that the mechanism may include both local and general conditions. This more closely resembles Meniere's disease than idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Both sides of bilateral cases were not usually the same in hearing patterns, glycerol test results, or prognosis. A statistically significant difference (Mann Whitney test, P<0.01) in total of 3 low tone hearing was seen between worse and better sides in bilateral cases. The degree of disease on both sides in bilateral cases thus was not always the same. Bilateral cases may result from both the influence of general conditions such as fatigue, stress, and lack of sleep and local conditions such as pathogenesis of endolymphatic hydrops that may cause differences in both ears. No clear difference was seen in clinical symptoms, hearing levels, and clinical examination, e.g., Schellong and glyceol tests, between unilateral and bilateral cases. Bilateral cases had a poorer prognosis (lower complete recovery ratio; chi2 test P<0.01) than unilateral cases. Our results indicated that cautious evaluation of opposite ear is necessary in diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication of ALHL.

急性低音障害型感音難聴の治療薬剤について ステロイド剤とイソソルビドの比較

Differences in the effects of steroid and isosorbide for acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) were examined. The steroid group showed significant improvement compared to hearing levels after the same length of treatment in the isosorbide group. Since endolymphatic hydrops was considered the etiology, some ALHL patients progress to Meniere disease. However, isosorbide improves endolymphatic hydrops in ALHL patients. Our findings showed that ALHL also has etiologies other than an endolymphatic hydrops and that these also respond to steroid administration.

An electrocochleographic study of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss.

Twenty-four patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) were examined using electrocochleography. The negative summating potential (SP) amplitude and the summating potential/action potential (AP) ratio were significantly greater in the ALHL patients than in normals. The SP/AP ratio was smaller in the ALHL patients than in patients with known Meniere's disease and moderate hearing loss, although the SP amplitude was somewhat greater in the former. An abnormal increase in the SP amplitude following click stimuli was found in 54% of the ALHL patients, while the SP/AP ratio was increased abnormally in 63% of these patients. These findings suggest that the pathophysiology of ALHL may be similar to that for endolymphatic hydrops.