Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2015 Sep;8(3):206-210. 10.3342/ceo.2015.8.3.206.

Outcomes of Severe to Profound Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Jo SY
• Lee S
• Eom TH
• Jeun ES
• Cho HH
• Cho YB

• KMID: 2117513
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/ceo.2015.8.3.206

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
While a severe to profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) may cause serious disability in verbal communication, there have been little studies focusing on this high degree SSNHL. The present study was aimed to investigate the characteristics of hearing recovery in a high degree SSNHL (>70 dB).
METHODS
Three hundred and two SSNHL patients were enrolled. For a long-term follow-up, 46 patients were evaluated. Hearing level was examined by pure tone audiometry on day 1, week 3, month 3, month 6, and year 1 or after. According to the degree of the initial hearing loss, the patients were divided into 4 groups from 70 to > or =100 dB.
RESULTS
After 3 weeks, the recovery rate and mean hearing gain was 61%, 23.85 dB in the 70 dB group, whereas 10%, 6.61 dB in the > or =100 dB group. There was a significant correlation between 3-week recovery and final hearing outcome. However, there was almost no recovery after 3 months.
CONCLUSION
An early recovery can be a prognostic factor for the final recovery in severe to profound SSNHL. Since recovery after 3 months is rare, an early hearing intervention like hearing aid or cochlear implantation should be considered in the high degree SSNHL to restore the patient's verbal communication.

Keyword

Hearing Loss, Sudden; Treatment Outcome; Ear, Inner; Cochlea

MeSH Terms

Audiometry
Cochlea
Cochlear Implantation
Cochlear Implants
Ear, Inner
Follow-Up Studies
Hearing
Hearing Aids
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural*
Hearing Loss, Sudden
Humans
Treatment Outcome

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Recovery time among four groups according to the changes in average hearing levels by pure tone audiographic measurement. Note that, the initial 3 weeks showed the highest recovery rate, 3 weeks to 3 months demonstrated slight recovery but no improvement was noted after 3 months. 70 dB group, n=10; 80 dB group, n=11; 90 dB group, n=16; ≥100 dB group, n=9.

• 

  Fig. 2 Comparison of initial 3-week hearing recovery rates among the 70 dB group, 80 dB group, 90 dB group, and ≥100 dB group. The degrees of recovery for comparison were complete, partial, slight recovery according to Siegel's criteria. Overall recovery is the sum of complete recovery, partial recovery, slight improvement. Analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction (*P<0.05).

• 

  Fig. 3 Comparison of hearing gain during initial 3-week period among the 70 dB group, 80 dB group, 90 dB group, and ≥100 dB group. Note that in the 70 dB group, there cannot be a gain value exceeding 70 dB. The degree of hearing gain is lower in the highest grade hearing loss group.

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