Prognosis of patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss: role of vestibular assessment

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology Vol. 125; no. 3; pp. 251 - 257
• Main Authors: Korres, S, Stamatiou, G A, Gkoritsa, E, Riga, M, Xenelis, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.03.2011
• Subjects: Age Factors; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - administration & dosage; Audiometry; Audiometry - methods; Biological and medical sciences; Caloric Tests - methods; Cochlea; Data processing; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Ear, Inner - pathology; Ear, Inner - physiopathology; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Hearing loss; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - diagnosis; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - physiopathology; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - therapy; Hearing Loss, Sudden - diagnosis; Hearing Loss, Sudden - physiopathology; Hearing Loss, Sudden - therapy; Hearing Loss, Unilateral; Hearing protection; Humans; Inner ear; Male; Medical prognosis; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Non tumoral diseases; Otolaryngology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Patients; Prednisolone - administration & dosage; Prognosis; Recovery of Function; Statistical analysis; Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss; Vertigo; Vertigo - physiopathology; Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials; Vestibular Function Tests; Vestibular system; Denmark; United States > US; Cochlea; Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss; Vestibular Function Tests; Prognosis; Human; Vestibular function; Internal ear disease; Idiopathic; Auditory disorder; ENT; Sudden hearing loss; ENT disease; Perception hearing loss; Sensory hearing loss
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215110002082

To evaluate the correlation between caloric and vestibular evoked myogenic potential test results, initial audiogram data, and early hearing recovery, in patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss. One hundred and four patients with unilateral idiopathic sudden hearing loss underwent complete neurotological evaluation. Results for vestibular evoked myogenic potential and caloric testing were compared with patients' initial and final audiograms. Overall, abnormal vestibular evoked myogenic potential responses occurred in 28.8 per cent of patients, whereas abnormal caloric test results occurred in 50 per cent. A statistically significant relationship was found between the type of inner ear lesion and the incidence of profound hearing loss. Moreover, a negative correlation was found between the extent of the inner ear lesion and the likelihood of early recovery. In patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss, the extent of the inner ear lesion tends to correlate with the severity of cochlear damage. Vestibular assessment may be valuable in predicting the final outcome.