Res Vestib Sci.  2018 Sep;17(3):102-108. 10.21790/rvs.2018.17.3.102.

Prognosis of Sudden Low Frequency Hearing Loss during Long-term Follow-up

• Kim JH
• Kwak SH
• Bae SH
• Kim SH
• Nam GS

• KMID: 2436254
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21790/rvs.2018.17.3.102

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The prognosis of sudden low frequency hearing loss (SLFHL) is relatively good, but recurrences of hearing loss and possible progression to Meniere's disease is still a clinically important concern. This study was conducted to confirm the rate at which SLFHL proceeds to Meniere's disease.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 160 SLFHL patients who were followed up for more than 6 months from September 2005 to August 2013. Progression, initial hearing level, recovery and recurrence of hearing loss were reviewed.
RESULTS
106 patients (66.25%) had complete hearing recovery, 32 (20%) had recurrent hearing loss. Of the 32 recurrent group, 15 (9.38%) had progressed to Meniere's disease after average of 1.7±1.4 years. The mean age of nonrecurrent group was higher than recurrent group (55.3±14.6 and 48.0±13.4, respectively, p=0.011). The threshold of 250Hz was significantly higher in the nonrecurrent group compared with recurrent group (p=0.047).
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with SLFHL, recurrence at relatively young age should be considered with the possibility of progression to Meniere's disease.

Keyword

Sudden hearing loss; Sensorineural hearing loss; Prognosis; Meniere disease

MeSH Terms

Follow-Up Studies*
Hearing Loss*
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Hearing Loss, Sudden
Hearing*
Humans
Medical Records
Meniere Disease
Prognosis*
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies