Influence of Metabolic Syndrome on the Recovery from Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract Introduction Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) is a disabling otologic urgency whose ethiopathogenesis is still controversial. Only in recent years metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been implicated as a possible aggravating factor in the prognosis of recovery from ISSHL. Objective To assess whether the preexistence of MetS interferes on hearing recovery levels. Methods Retrospective cohort study composed of adult (> 18 years old) ISSHL patients admitted for treatment between January 2015 and December 2019. To diagnose ISSHL, we used pure-tone audiometry, and identified MetS patients based on the criteria of the United States National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEPATP III). The treatment protocol comprised hospitalization for five days for the intravenous administration of dexamethasone, audiometric surveillance, imaging and blood analyses, and, based on recovery, the planning of rescue treatments (intratympanic administration of dexamethasone and/or hyperbaric oxygen). The Siegel criteria were used to evaluate the hearing outcomes. Results The final sample was composed of 81 patients, 48 without MetS (nMetS) and 33 with MetS. Regarding the Siegel recovery category, the nMetS group had significantly better results (p = 0.001), with 44% of complete recoveries against 6% in the MetS, and 58% of the MetS patients had the worst outcome, contrasting with 27% in the nMetS group. The nMetS group had an overall better evolution in terms of hearing recovery and had a significant improvement in the median hearing gain (20.6 dB versus 8.8 dB; p = 0.008). Additionally, the multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of MetS is a significant risk factor for a worse outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 0.30; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 0.10-0.85). Conclusion Regardless of age, gender, the initial audiometry threshold, and autoimmunity, MetS is a clear risk factor for a worse outcome regarding the recovery of hearing after ISSHL.

Les surdites brusques idiopathiques facteurs pronostiques / Sudden idiopathic deafness prognostic factors

Les surdités brusques idiopathiques (SBI) constituent l'un des sujets les plus débattus en otologie. Plusieurs problèmes d'ordre physiopathologiques, thérapeutiques et pronostiques restent non résolus. But : Identifier les facteurs pronostiques, cliniques et audiométriques de récupération auditive après traitement d'une SBI. Malades : Etude rétrospective portée sur 27 malades (29 cas de SBI) traités dans le service d'ORL et chirurgie cervicofaciale du CHU Habib Bourguiba Sfax durant la période comprise entre les années 1990 et 2005. Méthodes : C'est une étude statistique recherchant une corrélation significative entre certains facteurs cliniques et audiométriques et la récupération auditive. Les facteurs étudiés étaient : l'âge, l'aspect de la courbe audiométrique, la perte auditive initiale et le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique. Résultats : L'âge inférieur à 50 ans, la courbe ascendante et la perte auditive inférieure à 70 dB étaient les facteurs de meilleur pronostic. Le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique semble avoir peu de rôle dans la récupération auditive. Discussion : La majorité des auteurs ont signalé que l'âge jeune, les surdités légères ou moyennes, la courbe ascendante et la précocité de la prise en charge sont associés à un meilleur pronostic. Nos résultats rejoignent ceux de Tran Ba Huy qui ne trouve pas de corrélation entre le délai de prise en charge thérapeutique et le pronostic de récupération auditive.

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss – A 12-month review

Background: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a condition which is difficult to define and treat. Sensorineural hearing loss being a situation where rehabilitation therapy with hearing aids is the only treatment option, ISSNHL is an exception which can be treated medically if identified early enough. Objectives: The objectives of the study were as follows: (i) To study the recovery of hearing and other symptoms in patients diagnosed of ISSNHL treated with medical management as per institutional protocol and (ii) to study the association between recovery with medical management and factors such as time of presentation and comorbidities in patients with ISSNHL. Materials and Methods: In the Department of ENT, MCH, Kottayam, a protocol for the management of ISSNHL was worked out as per guidelines from standard otology textbooks. All patients with suspected ISSNHL were admitted. Hearing assessment was done using pure tone audiometry during inpatient care and on discharge of the patient. Patients were discharged after completion of the treatment and followed up for a period of at least 6 months. Results: The inference of our study is that cases who presented early in the first 24–48 h of onset of symptoms have maximum chance of recovery irrespective of associated comorbidities. Conclusion: The study highlights the fact that ISSNHL is and should be considered as a medical emergency.

Effect of electro-nape-acupuncture on hearing in patients with refractory flat descending idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect of electro-nape-acupuncture (ENA) combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and single HBOT on refractory flat descending idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).@*METHODS@#A total of 78 patients were randomized into an ENA combined with HBOT (ENA+HBOT) group and a HBOT group, 39 cases in each one. Patients in both groups were treated with oral extract of ginkgo biloba leaves and mecobalamin tablets. On the basis of the conventional medication treatment, HBOT was adopt in the HBOT group. On the basis of the treatment in the HBOT group, electro-nape-acupuncture was applied at Fengchi (GB 20), Gongxue (Extra), Zhongzhu (TE 3), Waiguan (TE 5) and Yifeng (TE 17), Tinggong (SI 19), Tinghui (GB 2) and the vertigo-auditory area of affected side in the ENA+HBOT group. Pulse acupuncture instrument was connected at Fengchi (GB 20) and Gongxue (Extra) for 30 min (with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency), the needles were retained for another 30 min after electroaupuncture. The treatment was given once a day, 6 times a week for 4 weeks in both groups. Before the treatment and 2,4 weeks into the treatment, the average auditory threshold, the scores of tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) were observed, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated in both groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the average auditory threshold, the scores of THI and DHI of 2,4 weeks into the treatment were decreased in both groups (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electro-nape- acupuncture can improve the mean auditory threshold and the symptoms of tinnitus and dizziness in patients with refractory flat descending idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Role of Intratympanic Steroids in the Management of Idiopathic Sudden Sensori-Neural Hearing Loss

Background: To assess the outcomes of intratympanic steroids in the management of idiopathic sudden sensori-neural hearing loss. Study Design: Retrospective study. Setting: tertiary care medical centre. Methods: A total of 56patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were included in our study. They received 4 doses of 0.3- 0.5ml of( 40 mg/mL ) of methylprednisolone injected into the middle ear with a gap of four days in between the doses. Pre- and post-injection hearing evaluation was done to determine overall success, morbidity, and prognostic factors. Patient variables as they related to recovery were studied and included patient’s age, time to onset of therapy, severity of hearing loss, and presence of associated symptoms. Results: A total of 56 patients were included in our study of which unilateral cases were 52 and bilateral cases were 4. Subjectively 38 patients reported improvement in hearing after the therapy while objectively we found 44 ears(74%) ,41 patients had improvement. The mean PTA pre ITS (intratympanic steroid) was 58.7 dB and after ITS it was 30.3dB. Thus mean PTA improved by 28.4 dB. Conclusion: Intratympanic steroids can be offered as a first line therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss as it is minimally invasive, and can be performed as an office based procedure with no systemic side effects. No major complications has been reported in our study and results have been satisfactory.

The place of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ozone therapy in sudden hearing loss / O papel da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica e da ozonioterapia na surdez súbita

Abstract Introduction: It is difficult to evaluate the effect of drugs clinically used for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, mainly because its underlying mechanism remains unknown. Objective: This study assessed the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy or ozone therapy in the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, when either therapy was included with steroid treatment. Methods: A retrospective analysis examined 106 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss seen between January 2010 and June 2012. Those with an identified etiology were excluded. The patients were divided into three treatment groups: oral steroid only (n = 65), oral steroid + hyperbaric oxygen (n = 26), and oral steroid + ozone (n = 17). Treatment success was assessed using Siegel criteria and mean gains using pre- and post-treatment audiograms. Results: The highest response rate to treatment was observed in the oral steroid + ozone therapy group (82.4%), followed by the oral steroid + hyperbaric oxygen (61.5%), and oral steroid groups (50.8%). There were no significant differences in the response to treatment between the oral steroid and oral steroid + hyperbaric oxygen groups (p < 0.355). The oral steroid + ozone group showed a significantly higher response rate to treatment than the oral steroid group (p = 0.019). There were no significant differences between the oral steroid + hyperbaric oxygen and oral steroid + ozone groups (p = 0.146). Conclusion: The efficiency of steroid treatment in patients with severe hearing loss was low. It was statistically ascertained that adding hyperbaric oxygen or ozone therapy to the treatment contributed significantly to treatment success.

Resumo Introdução: É difícil avaliar o efeito dos fármacos clinicamente usados na surdez súbita idiopática, principalmente porque o seu mecanismo subjacente se mantém desconhecido. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia da oxigenoterapia hiperbárica ou ozonioterapia no tratamento de surdez súbita, quando uma ou outra terapia é incluída no tratamento com esteroides. Método: Uma análise retrospectiva examinou 106 pacientes com surdez súbita atendidos entre janeiro de 2010 e junho de 2012. Aqueles com uma etiologia identificada foram excluídos. Os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos de tratamento: apenas esteroide oral (n = 65), esteroide por via oral + oxigenoterapia hiperbárica (n = 26) e esteroides por via oral + ozônio (n = 17). O sucesso do tratamento foi avaliado com critérios de Siegel e os ganhos médios com audiogramas pré e pós-tratamento. Resultados: A taxa de resposta mais elevada para o tratamento foi observada no grupo de esteroide + ozonioterapia (82,4%), seguida por grupos de esteroide oral + oxigenoterapia hiperbárica (61,5%) e esteroide oral (50,8%). Não houve diferenças significantes na resposta ao tratamento entre os grupos de esteroide oral e esteroides + oxigenoterapia hiperbárica (p < 0,355). O grupo de esteroide oral + ozônio apresentou uma taxa de resposta significantemente mais elevada ao tratamento do que o grupo de esteroide oral (p = 0,019). Não houve diferenças significantes entre os grupos de esteroide oral + oxigenoterapia hiperbárica e esteroide oral + ozônio (p = 0,146). Conclusão: A eficiência do tratamento com esteroides em pacientes com perda auditiva grave foi baixa. Verificou-se estatisticamente que a adição de oxigenoterapia hiperbárica ou ozonioterapia ao tratamento contribuiu significantemente para o sucesso do tratamento.

Assessment of Balance and Vestibular Functions in Patients with Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study investigated the relationship among the severity of hearing impairment,vestibular function and balance function in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).A total of 35 ISSNHL patients (including 21 patients with vertigo) were enrolled.All of the patients underwent audiometry,sensory organization test (SOT),caloric test,cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) test and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) test.Significant relationship was found between vertigo and hearing loss grade (P=0.009),and between SOT VEST grade and hearing loss grade (P=0.001).The abnormal rate of oVEMP test was the highest,followed by the abnormal rates of caloric and cVEMP tests,not only in patients with vertigo but also in those without vertigo.The vestibular end organs were more susceptible to damage in patients with vertigo (compared with patients without vertigo).Significant relationship was found between presence of vertigo and SOT VEST grade (P=0.010).We demonstrated that vestibular end organs may be impaired not only in patients with vertigo but also in patients without vertigo.The cochlear and vestibular impairment could be more serious in patients with vertigo than in those without vertigo.Vertigo does not necessarily bear a causal relationship with the impairment of the vestibular end organs.SOT VEST grade could be used to reflect the presence of vertigo state in the ISSNHL patients.Apart from audiometry,the function of peripheral vestibular end organs and balance function should be evaluated to comprehensively understand ISSNHL.Better assessment of the condition will help us in clinical diagnosis,treatment and prognosis evaluation of ISSNHL.

Prognostic Factors for Recovery from Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate prognostic factors in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2011, a retrospective chart review identified 494 consecutive patients with ISSNHL. Demographic, audiometric, and clinical data were analyzed using a logistic regression test. RESULTS: Hearing recovery from ISSNHL was significantly associated with factors such as age, duration from onset of symptoms to commencement of treatment, severity of the initial pure tone threshold, and the treatment method. Intratympanic (IT) steroid administration alone showed a comparable efficiency to oral steroid administration with or without IT steroid injection. In patients who received IT steroid injection, the duration from onset to treatment, severity of initial hearing loss, and sequential IT steroid injection following systemic steroid administration were statistically associated with hearing improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Age, severity of initial pure tone threshold, duration from onset to treatment, initial speech discrimination, and initial pure tone threshold are statistically significant prognostic factors related to hearing improvement in ISSNHL. IT steroid injection as an initial single treatment is comparable to systemic oral steroid administration.

Comparative Analysis of the Combined Therapeutic Effects of Lipoprostaglandin E1 on Sudden Idiopathic Sensorineural Hearing Loss

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Viral and vascular disorders are considered to be a major cause of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Lipoprostaglandin E₁ (lipo-PGE₁) has vasodilating activity and has been used to treat ISSNHL. The purpose of this study was to determine the specific therapeutic effects of lipo-PGE₁ and compare them to other treatment modalities for ISSNHL. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study group had 1,052 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL. All were treated with steroid, carbogen inhalation, stellate ganglion block (SGB), or PGE₁. The CP group (steroid, carbogen inhalation, and PGE1 injection; 288 patients) was treated with lipo-PGE₁ and carbogen inhalation, the CS group (steroid, carbogen inhalation, and stellate ganglion block; 232 patients) with steroid, carbogen inhalation, and SGB, the C group (steroid and carbogen inhalation; 284 patients) with steroid and carbogen, and the control group (steroid only; 248 patients) with steroid only. Patients in the groups receiving lipo-PGE₁ received a continuous infusion of 10 µL lipo-PGE₁. RESULTS: The overall recovery rate after treatment was 52.2%, and recovery rates by group were 67.7% in the CP group, 54.3% in the CS group, 52.1% in the C group, and 32.2% in the control group. Therefore, the therapeutic results in groups treated with lipo-PGE₁ were better than results in other groups. The difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggested that the CP group received effective treatment modalities for ISSNHL. The combined therapy of lipo-PGE₁ with carbogen inhalation in patients with ISSNHL was more beneficial than other treatment modalities.

Dicer Is Down-regulated and Correlated with Drosha in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Previously, we reported the expression levels of specific microRNA machinery components, DGCR8 and AGO2, and their clinical association in patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss (SSNHL). In the present study, we investigated the other important components of microRNA machinery and their association with clinical parameters in SSNHL patients. Fifty-seven patients diagnosed with SSNHL and fifty healthy volunteers were included in this study. We evaluated mRNA expression levels of Dicer and Drosha in whole blood of patients with SSNHL and the control group, using RT & real-time PCR analysis. The Dicer mRNA expression level was down-regulated in patients with SSNHL. However, the Drosha mRNA expression level was not significantly altered in patients with SSNHL. Neither the Dicer nor Drosha mRNA expression level was not associated with any clinical parameters, including age, sex, duration of initial treatment from onset (days), initial Pure tone average, Siegel's criteria, WBC, and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. However, mRNA expression levels of Dicer and Drosha were positively correlated to each other in patients with SSNHL. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that the Dicer mRNA expression level was down-regulated in patients with SSNHL, suggesting its important role in pathobiology of SSNHL development.

The Effectiveness of Intratympanic Steroid Therapy and Systemic Steroid Therapy on the treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients with Damaged Glucose Tolerance / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intratympanic steroid therapy compared with systemic ster‐oid therapy on the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) patients with damaged glu‐cose tolerance .Methods Fifty first -diagnosed unilateral ISSNHL patients with damaged glucose tolerance were randomized devided equally to the intervention group (intratympanic steroid therapy) or the control group (systemic steroid therapy) ,all patients received conventional drug therapy simultaneously .Pure-tone hearing threshold tests were performed in all patients every 3 days after the first time ,and repeated measures anova was used to assess effects of hearing recovery accompanied with time .Results The mean hearing threshold in the control group de‐creased from 85 .4 ± 5 .6 dB to 48 .2 ± 4 .9 dB ,while in the intervention group it decreased from 84 .8 ± 5 .6 dB to 31 .7 ± 4 .6 dB .Total effective rate in the intervention group (84 .00% ,21/95) was higher than that in the control group (68 .00% ,17/25)(P<0 .05) .Conclusion The intratympanic steroid therapy is more effective than systemic steroid therapy in the treatment of ISSNHL patients with damaged glucose tolerance .

Combination Therapy with Systemic Steroids, an Antiviral Agent, Anticoagulants, and Stellate Ganglion Block for Treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is commonly defined as a loss of at least 30 dB in three contiguous frequencies occurring within 3 days. Systemic steroid administration has become the most widely accepted treatment option for SSNHL. Since viral infection and vascular compromise are considered specific causes of SSNHL, antiviral agents, anticoagulants, and stellate ganglion block have been used for its treatment, although the evidence of their effectiveness is weak. The present study evaluated the hearing recovery rate in the combination therapy group (systemic steroids, antiviral agent, anticoagulants, and stellate ganglion block) in comparison with patients treated with systemic steroids alone. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 85 patients diagnosed with SSNHL were treated with combination therapy (group A, 46 patients) or systemic steroids only (group B, 39 patients). Hearing improvement was defined as a hearing gain of more than slight improvement using Siegel's criteria. All patients were treated with a 10-day course of systemic steroids (10-mg dexamethasone for 5 days, followed by tapering for 5 days). Acyclovir, heparin, and stellate ganglion block were included in the group A treatment regimen. RESULTS: The overall rate of hearing improvement was 60.9% (28/46 patients) in group A, which was significantly higher than that (38.5%, 15/39 patients) in group B. The distribution of prognostic factors was not significantly different between the two groups with the exception of the degree of initial hearing loss, which was more severe in group A. Upon analysis according to prognostic factors, group A showed a better hearing improvement recovery rate than group B in patients with hearing loss >70 dB, age >41 years, dizziness, and early treatment (<1 week). CONCLUSIONS: Thus SSNHL patients treated with combination therapy have a higher likelihood of hearing improvement than those treated with systemic steroids alone.

Intravenous dexamethasone for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss:clinical evaluation / 中国基层医药

Objective To investigate clinic efficacy of intravenous dexamethasone for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.Methods Subjects received a 10-day dexamethasone(10mg/d) course.4-frequency(500,1000,2000,4000Hz) pure-tone averages(PTA) calculated using air conduction thresholds pre-treatment and post-treatment were compared.A clinically significant chanage in PTA was considered to be greater than 10dB HL.Results PTA of pre-treatment and post-treatment were(66.32?23.66)dB HL and(45.61?25.24)dB HL,respectively,in 40 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.There was significant improvement in PTA,P=0.000756.90% of patients showed improvement in hearing.Promising results were found with intravenous dexamethasone in cases with shorter time to treatment or/and without vertigo.Conclusion Intravenous dexamethasone can be beneficial in treating patient with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.Prognostic indicators include time to treatment and vertigo.

Effects of Carbogen Inhalation and Stellate Ganglion Block in the Treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Impairment of inner ear circulation may be one of the pathophysiology of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Carbogen inhalation therapy, in which patients breathe a gas mixture of 5% CO2 and 95% O2 by mask, and a stellate ganglion block (SGB) are potent vasodilatation and tissue oxygenation procedures widely used as treatment modalities in ISSNHL. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of each modality and to find out the differences in the effectiveness of carbogen inhalation therapy and SGB. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We reviewed the records of 313 patients who were admitted to the Masan Samsung Hospital from January 1995 to December 2000 for investigation of the efficacy of carbogen inhalation therapy and SGB. One hundred and thirty-one patients were treated with carbogen inhalation, SGB and drug medication, and 57 patients without SGB and 125 patients were treated with medication only. RESULTS: Therapeutic results of carbogen inhalation and SGB group was better than that of medication only group. But no statistical differences were found between the carbogen inhalation and SGB group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that carbogen inhalation and SGB were effective treatment modalities of ISSNHL. We recommend that carbogen inhalation therapy and SGB could be utilized as the standard treatment of ISSNHL.

The Effect of Combined Antiviral Agent Therapy and Stellate Ganglion Block for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Appropriate Patients to Evaluate the Therapeutic Effect / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The etiology of Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) is uncertain, but viral infection and disturbance of blood circulation in the inner ear are suspected as the causes of the disease, and a stellate ganglion block (SGB) and antiviral agent (Acyclovir) have been used in its treatment. The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of SGB and antiviral agent in the treatment of ISSHL and to find out appropriate patients to evaluate the therapeutic effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 193 patients (202 ears) who were admitted to the Presbyterian Medical Center from January 1994 to August 2000. Fifty-eight ears were treated with acyclovir and sixty nine ears were treated with SGB and seventy five ears were treated as a control group. RESULTS: The therapeutic result of SGB was better than that of control group and acyclovir had more effect on the subgroups when the initial hearing loss was 41dB~70dB. In the patients with initial hearing level worse than 71dB, the recovery rates were constant regardless of the group. And the patients who were treated after 8 days from the onset had analogic recovery rate to each remedy. CONCLUSION: The patients with the initial hearing level of worse than 71dB and who visited the clinic within 7days of the onset were found to be appropriate candidates for the evaluation of therapeutic effects of ISSHL and SGB. SGB was recommended for the treatment of ISSHL and antiviral agents for patients between the hearing levels of 410dB-70dB.

The Efficacy of Stellate Ganglion Block in the Treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A stellate ganglion block (SGB) induces vasodilatation in the head, neck, and upper extremities. Based on this principle, SGB has been widely used as one of the treatment modalities in sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (S-SNHL). However, until now, published data establishing the statistical significance of the effect of SGB has been slim. We conducted this study to find out the effect of SGB in the treatment of idiopathic S-SNHL and to find out the factors influencing the prognosis of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 221 patients seen in the past eight years between 1990 to 1997 who had an initial diagnosis of idiopathic S-SNHL and was admitted for treatment. One hundred twenty patients were treated with SGB and the other 101 patients were treated without SGB to use as a control group. RESULTS: The therapeutic result of SGB group was better than that of the control group. Especially, statistical difference was found in the following two subgroups; one in which the interval between the onset of disease and the initiation of treatment was from 8 to 28 days, and the other when the initial hearing loss was below 90 dB. CONCLUSION: We suggest that this study could be utilized as a standard of clinical treatment when SGB is performed.

Statistical Estimate Formula Using Prognostic Factors for Predicting Hearing Recovery in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss / 대한이비인후과학회지

Sudden deafness is not rare but its pathophysiology has not been fully determined and treatment is controversial at present. About concerning factors for the recovery of sudden deafness, various studies have been done, but there are still many unknown things. The probability of recovery from sudden deafness depends on many factors. To evaluate hearing recovery and prognostic factors we studied 65 patients treated with bed rest, steroid, vasodilator, plasma expander, vitamines from March 1988 to October 1995 at our department. Data were statistically examined and we present a model for calculating the probability of patient recovery based on the combined effects of risk factors determined for these variables. Interrelationships among the prognostic factors and their relative importance in predicting hearing recovery are discussed.