Retrospective analysis of our cases with sudden hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic factors and healing ranges of patients treated for sudden hearing loss (SHL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our study, 33 patients treated for SHL were evaluated between March 1995 and October 2001 retrospectively. After the routine examinations, first audiograms were done. The audiograms were classified as hearing loss in low frequencies, high frequencies, and flat using the Shey and Rubin classification systems. All patients were treated with the same standard regimen. The benefits of treatment were evaluated with the Siegel classification.

RESULTS: Various amounts of hearing gains were obtained in 17 of 21 patients treated in the first 5 days. No gain was obtained in 5 of 12 patients, who re-presented after the first 5 days of SHL. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p =.005). There was hearing gain in all nine patients who had upward-sloping type of audiograms. Hearing gain was obtained in 8 of 12 downward-sloping type and 7 of 12 flat-type audiograms. There was a significant difference between the raising type group and the other groups (p =.04 and p =.014). Also, in 6 of 14 patients with vertigo and in 4 of 12 with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), there was no gain.

CONCLUSION: The prognosis of SHL is found to be better in patients who present early and mild SNHL and unilateral cases and worse in vertigo, bilaterally severe SNHL, and childhood.