Sealing of the round and oval window niches with triamcinolone-soaked fascia as salvage surgical therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Conclusions: Triamcinolone-soaked fascia seems to show better hearing improvement when added to tympanotomy for sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), compared to fascia round window occlusion without triamcinolone.

Objectives: To analyse if adding triamcinolone to sealing the round and oval window niches with fascia results in improved audiological outcome for acute SNHL.

Methods: Fifty-three patients (27m:43?±?12 years, 26f:45?±?14 years) with acute SSHL ≥50dB over 3 frequencies, who failed primary therapy, underwent transcanal tympanotomy. Twenty-five patients (Group A;cortisone:14m, 11f:46?±?9 years) received sealing of the round and oval window with fascia soaked in triamcinolone (1ml; 40mg/ml) and 28 controls (Group B;no-cortisone:13m, 15f, 42?±?12 years) without triamcinolone. Frequency specific and pure tone average (PTA =500–1000–2000–3000Hz) results were compared between Group A and B pre- and postoperatively.

Results: In Group A the PTA improved by ≥10dB in 21/25(83%) cases; in Group B 18/28(63%). Group A showed a statistically significantly better improvement across all frequencies, while linear regression revealed a significant decrease of posttherapeutic PTA to 94.96% of the initial PTA (p?=?.037). The overall PTA improved by 24dB. Group A improved from 73dB to 41dB(-32dB) PTA, Group B improved from 76dB to 56dB PTA (-20dB) (p?p?相似文献   

The relationship between hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Objective: To investigate the relationship between hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL).

Methods: Clinical data including the symptom of vertigo of 149 SSHL patients were investigated retrospectively. Pure tone audiometry, ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) evoked by air-conducted sound (ACS), and caloric test were employed for cochlear and vestibular function assessment. The relationship between hearing level and vestibular dysfunction was analyzed.

Results: The pure tone averages (PTAs) (mean?±?SD) of SSHL patients with and without vertigo were 88.81?±?21.74 dB HL and 72.49?±?21.88 dB HL (Z?=??4.411, p?=?0.000), respectively. The PTAs of SSHL patients with abnormal and normal caloric test were 84.71?±?22.54 dB HL and 70.41?±?24.07 dB HL (t?=??2.665, p?=?0.009), respectively. Conversely, vertigo and abnormal caloric results also happened more frequently in patients with profound hearing loss. However, no consistent tendency could be found among vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) responses or hearing loss.

Conclusions: SSHL patients with vertigo or abnormal caloric test displayed worse hearing loss; and vice versa, vertigo and abnormal caloric results happened more frequently in SSHL patients with profound hearing loss.     

Relationship between changes in hearing function and volumes of endolymphatic hydrops after endolymphatic sac drainage

Abstract

Background: Endolymphatic sac drainage (ELSD) may have a positive effect on endolymphatic hydrops (EH) and may help to preserve inner ear function. However, the relationship between changes in EH volumes and hearing function after ELSD has not been described.

Objectives: We aimed to reveal the factors related to changes in hearing and EH following ELSD.

Material and Methods: Twenty-one patients who received ELSD were enrolled. Pure tone audiometry and 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 4?h after intravenous injection of gadolinium enhancement were performed just before surgery and 2 years later. To characterize the endolymphatic space (ELS), we measured the volume of the total fluid (TFS) and ELS and calculated the ratio of ELS to TFS (ELS ratio).

Results: The ELS ratio of the patients who showed hearing improvement was 18.5?±?11.4% before surgery and 23.9?±?14.3% after. For those with no change, it was 29.7?±?10.8% before and 29.4?±?9.5% after, and in patients with worsened hearing function it was 22.7?±?7.5% before and 27.2?±?13.4% after.

Conclusion: We found no correlation between the changes in hearing function and the volume of EH after ELSD.     

Different prognoses in patients with profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Background: Inner ear hemorrhage is increasingly recognized as a cochlear lesion that can cause profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

Objectives: To investigate changes of cochlear and vestibular function and to compare therapeutic recovery from profound SSNHL induced by different etiologies.

Material and methods: Eighty patients with profound SSNHL (≥90?dB) were divided into an inner ear hemorrhage group and a non-inner ear hemorrhage group by MRI. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the therapeutic effects from vertigo and hearing loss and the outcomes of follow-up in the two groups.

Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of the overall 14-day therapeutic response rate (20 vs. 48%), the incidence of imbalance (26.7 vs. 6%), the incidence of semicircular canal dysfunction on the affected side (60 vs. 20%), the incidence of abnormal C-VEMP and O-VEMP on the affected side (63.3 vs. 38%; and 60 vs. 30%, respectively), the average hearing threshold (74.2?±?10.7 vs. 53.6?±?11.4?dB), and the word recognition score (65.5?±?21.7 vs. 83.5?±?24.5%) at a 12-month follow-up.

Conclusions and significance: A higher percentage of patients with profound SSNHL induced by inner ear hemorrhage were associated with vertigo and had a poor prognosis.     

Efficacy of combination therapy in adolescent and adult patients with total-deafness sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Background: Combination therapy is the first-line option for total-deafness sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Age may act as a crucial prognostic factor.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare efficacy of combination therapy between adolescent and adult patients with total-deafness SSNHL.

Materials and methods: Twenty-five adolescent patients (adolescent group) and 106 adult patients (adult group) with total-deafness SSNHL were recruited. All the recruited patients underwent initial treatment with batroxobin, methylprednisolone, and gastrodin. After 10-day treatment, hearing outcomes were determined by pure-tone average measured by audiometry. Moreover, the total effective rates in the hearing recovery and improvement of tinnitus were calculated.

Results: There existed no significant difference between two groups in the total effective rate of the hearing recovery (p?=?.110). However, a significant difference was found in the total effective rate of improvement of tinnitus between two groups (p?=?.016). Both adolescent and adult patients could receive the optimal hearing gains at 500?Hz (20.2?±?13.3 and 23.1?±?13.9dB, respectively), followed by those at 1000?Hz (18.8?±?12.5 and 22.7?±?14.8dB, respectively). Yet, adult patients could get better hearing gains only at 500?Hz than adolescent patients (p?=?.02).

Conclusion: Compared with adult patients, adolescent patients with total-deafness SSNHL undergoing combination therapy may be less likely to have hearing recovery and the improvement of tinnitus.     

N-acetylcysteine as a single therapy for sudden deafness

Conclusion: Like NAC ameliorates hearing loss from acoustic trauma in the inner ear, NAC may also rescue hearing loss from sudden deafness confined to the inner ear.

Objective: This study assesses the effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) as a single therapy for sudden deafness.

Methods: Thirty-five sudden deafness patients with neither systemic disorders nor central signs in electronystagmography were treated with NAC alone and assigned to Group A. For comparison, another 35 sudden deafness patients treated by corticosteroids and plasma expander were assigned to Group B. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, sex, laterality, and pre-treatment mean hearing level. All patients underwent an inner ear test battery comprising audiometry, and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP), cervical VEMP (cVEMP), and caloric tests.

Results: Groups A and B did not significantly differ in the pre-treatment mean hearing level, and percentages of abnormal oVEMP, cVEMP, and caloric tests, indicating that the involvement severity of sudden deafness between the two groups was similar. However, Group A (43?±?27?dB) showed significantly greater mean hearing gain than Group B (21?±?28?dB), and Group A (91%) revealed better improved rate of hearing than Group B (57%).     

Low serum folate levels: a risk factor for sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

Objective Ischemic vascular damage of the inner ear is one of the known causes of sensorineural sudden hearing loss (SSHL). Folate is an emerging risk factor associated with an increased risk of vascular damage. The aim of this study was to investigate whether low serum folate levels are associated with SSHL.

Material and Methods Serum folate levels were determined in 43 patients with SSHL and in 24 controls.

Results Folate levels were found to be significantly lower in SSHL patients than in controls (mean difference ?1.96 ng/ml; 95% CI ?3.31, ?0.59 ng/ml; p=0.006). No significant relationship between folate levels and either sex, age, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption or hypertension was observed, while a significant relationship was found between low folate levels and high homocysteine (HCY) levels in all 43 patients (p<0.01). The potential influence of low folate levels on hearing impairment in SSHL patients can be explained by the effects on HCY metabolism and the diminution of folate antioxidant capacity.

Conclusion Further studies are needed to elucidate whether low folate levels can be considered a risk factor for SSHL.     

Increased incidence in hospitalised patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a 14-year nationwide population-based study

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a 14-year nationwide study on the epidemiologic incidence in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional design.

Study sample: Data of patients hospitalised with the diagnosis of SSNHL from 2000 to 2013, extracted from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Results: In total, 31,258 patients were included. The mean age was 50.30?±?16.70?years. Males (53.5%) were more commonly diagnosed with SSNHL than females (46.5%). The patients most commonly presented with SSNHL were in the age group of 45–64?years. The crude incidence of SSNHL from 2000 to 2013 was 9.76 per 100,000 people per year. The annual incidence rate shows a steady increased from 5.15 in 2000 to 13.97 per 100,000 people in 2013 with a statistical significance (p?<?0.001).

Conclusion: This 14-year nationwide study indicated an increased incidence rate of SSNHL. This necessitates the development of additional treatment modalities to enhance the prognosis and the clarification of the underlying mechanism of this enigmatic disease.     

Red blood cell distribution width predicts prognosis in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Conclusion: Red cell distribution width (RDW) can predict outcome in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Further studies are required to clarify the potential pathophysiological explanations for these findings.

Objectives: RDW is one of the parameters reported in a complete blood count, and is elevated in direct proportion to variation in red cell size (anisocytosis). High RDW values are strongly associated with poor clinical outcomes in various diseases, including inflammatory and thrombotic diseases. To identify a prognostic biomarker that better predicts outcomes after ISSNHL, the association between RDW values at hospitalization and prognosis in patients with ISSNHL was assessed.

Method: This study measured RDW and performed hearing assessments in 89 consecutive patients with ISSNHL. Patients were then divided into two groups (‘recovered’ and ‘unrecovered’), according to their response to the treatment, and further analysis undertaken.

Results: Mean RDW was significantly higher in the unrecovered group (13.2%?±?1.0% compared with 12.7%?±?0.7% in the recovered group, p?=?0.031). After adjusting for potentially confounding factors in a binary logistic regression model, only RDW was associated with recovery from ISSNHL (odds ratio =?2.33, 95% confidence interval =?1.20–4.51, p?=?0.012).     

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss during pregnancy: clinical characteristics,management and outcome

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) may occur during pregnancy with a rare prevalence, and little is known about it.

Aims: To retrospectively analyze cases of SSNHL during pregnancy and investigate their clinical characteristics, management and outcome.

Material and methods: Records of 30 SSNHL patients during pregnancy were reviewed, including age, localization, duration from onset to treatment, gestation period, accompanying symptoms, initial hearing threshold, final hearing threshold, audiogram, treatment and outcome.

Results: Twenty-four patients (80.0%) suffered SSNHL in the second trimester or the last trimester with a high rate of tinnitus (70.0%). The initial hearing threshold was 63.4?±?25.1?dB, and most audiograms were flat and profound. The overall recovery rate was 60.0%, including complete recovery (33.3%) and partial recovery (26.7%). Further, 16 patients received adjuvant intratympanic steroid showed a better audiologic outcome (improvement 27.1?±?16.4 vs. 15.7?±?12.0?dB, p?=?.042) than those who had not.

Conclusions and significance: SSNHL during pregnancy often occurred in the second trimester or the last trimester with a severe hearing loss, the most audiogram configurations are flat and profound. Dextran-40 is a safe and beneficial therapy for SSNHL patients during pregnancy and adjuvant intratympanic steroid increase the probability of hearing recovery.     

Frequency-specific efficacy of intratympanic steroid on idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Background: Hearing recovery would be different in each sound frequency in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Aims/objectives: To analyze frequency-specific efficacy of intratympanic steroid on ISSNHL.

Materials and methods: Of a total of 381 patients with ISSNHL (hearing threshold ≥40?dB; ≤30?days until treatment), 174 patients (174 ears) received systemic steroid plus hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO group), and 207 patients (208 ears) received systemic plus intratympanic steroid (IT group). Hearing thresholds at 125–8000?Hz were measured at every octave before and after treatment.

Results: % of patients with hearing gains ≥10?dB in the IT group was significantly higher for 500?Hz and the average of 5 mid-frequencies, tended to be higher for 1000?Hz, but was significantly lower for 8000?Hz, compared to the HBO group. Multiple regression analysis showed that hearing recovery was negatively correlated with patients’ age for 125/2000/4000/8000?Hz and with days from onset to treatment for all frequencies, and also revealed better hearing recovery at 500/1000?Hz in the IT group than in the HBO group.

Conclusions: Intratympanic steroid is more effective than hyperbaric oxygen to yield better hearing outcomes at mid-frequencies and would be advantageous to restore sound/speech perception.

Significance: Superiority of intratympanic steroid over hyperbaric oxygen for treating ISSNHL was verified.     

Dosimetric parameters associated with conductive or sensorineural hearing loss 5 years after intensity-modulated radiation therapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background: Most previous studies are separate dosimetric analyses of conductive or sensorineural hearing loss, and they are not conducive to a comprehensive assessment of auditory radiation damage.

Aims/objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate the long-term incidence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) or conductive hearing loss (CHL) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and to investigate the relationship between SNHL or CHL and patient factors, treatment-related factors, and radiation dose parameters.

Material and methods: Seventy patients (117 ears) with NPC, who were also treated with IMRT in our hospital from 2006 to 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. Radiation doses to the Eustachian tube (ET), middle ear (ME), cochlear (Co), and internal auditory canal (IAC) were assessed. Pure tone audiometry and impedance audiometry were performed before and during the follow-up period. The relationships between low-frequencies (0.5–2?kHz) or high-frequency (4?kHz) SNHL/CHL and radiotherapy dose parameters were analyzed.

Results: Of the 117 ears studied, 7.69% had low-frequency SNHL, 35.9% had high-frequency SNHL, 23.93% had low-frequency CHL, and 18.80% had high-frequency CHL. The incidence of high-frequency CHL was higher in the T4 group than in the T (1–3) group (p?<?.05). When IAC D_max?>?42.13?Gy or IAC D_mean?>?32.71?Gy, the risk of high-frequency SNHL increased in NPC patients. When ME D_max?>?44.27?Gy, ME D_mean?>?29.28?Gy, or ET D_max?>?57.23?Gy, the risk of high-frequency CHL in NPC patients increased.

Conclusions and significance: SNHL and CHL remain common ear complications after IMRT for NPC. IAC D_max, IAC D_mean, ME D_max, ME D_mean, and ET D_max all need to be carefully considered during the IMRT treatment protocol.     

Analysis of audio-vestibular assessment in acute low-tone hearing loss

Conclusion This study demonstrated excellent hearing recovery following the combined treatment of diuretic and oral steroid, and electrocochleography (ECoG) was significantly higher than normal side. This study reports characteristics of acute low-tone hearing loss (ALHL) that show the greater low-tone hearing loss, the higher ECoG, and excellent recovery, even-though low-tone hearing loss is worse, which can be different compared with sudden deafness. Objective To analyze ALHL without vertigo, this study compared the ALHL group with all patients exhibiting low-tone hearing loss and ear fullness. Hearing changes and vestibular functions were analyzed. Materials and methods ALHL was defined as a mean hearing loss of?≥?30?dB at 125, 250, and 500?Hz, and?≤?20?dB at 2, 4, and 8?kHz. From 156 cases of low-tone hearing loss of more than 10?dB without vertigo, 31 met the ALHL criteria and were subjected to audio-vestibular assessments including PTA, ECoG, vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing, and caloric testing. Results In ALHL, low-tone hearing loss was 42.7?±?9.5?dB, and 83.9% of ALHL significantly recovered by more than 10?dB. The ECoG in ALHL was 0.334?±?0.11 (higher than 0.25?±?0.08 on the normal side) and ECoG abnormality was 35.5% (the greater low-tone hearing loss, the higher ECoG value).     

Should air travel be avoided shortly after an idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

Abstract

Introduction: The effect of air travel on the recovery rate after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) has not been established. The advice to avoid flights is essentially based upon conjecture.

Objectives: To analyze the recovery rate of patients who traveled by air shortly after they were treated for ISSNHL.

Materials and methods: The hospital records of 115 newly diagnosed adult patients with unilateral ISSNHL were retrospectively collected. Included were patients who traveled by air within 90?days since the ISSNHL occurrence. The treatment protocol included oral prednisone and intratympanic dexamethasone injection when indicated. Audiograms performed upon presentation and 90?days later were compared.

Results: Twelve patients were included (median age 45.5?years). The median treatment delay was 3?days. The average time from the ISSNHL to air-travel was 37?days, and the average air-travel distance was 13,362?km. The degree of HL was moderate, moderately severe, and severe (4 patients each). Seven patients (58%) underwent full recovery. No patients experienced further deterioration of their audiometric results after air-travel.

Conclusions: This study does not support the avoidance of air-travel after ISSNHL.

Significance: This study is the first to investigate the effect of air-travel on ISSNHL recovery rates, a clinical question that rises commonly.     

Negative hearing effects of a single course of IV aminoglycoside therapy in cystic fibrosis patients

Abstract

Objective: Identify hearing effects of a single course of intravenous (IV) aminoglycoside antibiotics (AGs) therapy in adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Determine whether the change is large enough to enable a proof-of-concept study of a new drug preventing AG-associated hearing loss.

Design: Retrospective case review of CF patients with sequential audiograms?±?an intervening course of IV AG therapy.

Study sample: 84 patients with no intervening IV AG treatment, 38 patients undergoing a single course of IV AGs.

Results: Using ASHA ototoxicity metrics, 45% of adult CF patients in the Single-IV group met the criteria for ototoxicity compared to 23% of the No-IV patients. Other hearing metrics including the average maximal threshold shift (TS) and average high frequency TS showed highly significant differences between groups. Testing only participants with mild or greater pre-therapy high frequency hearing loss further increased the differences between the two groups by every metric tested.

Conclusion: Adult CF patients exposed to a single course of IV AGs have significantly greater TS than patients without IV AG exposure. Patients with mild to moderate hearing loss prior to AG-IVs are at increased risk of developing ototoxicity from subsequent parenteral AG therapy.     

Effects of early intratympanic steroid injection in patients with acoustic trauma caused by gunshot noise

Conclusion: This study evaluated the efficacy of concurrent administration of ITSI and systemic steroids in delayed treatment of NIHL after gunshot noise exposure. The results showed additional hearing benefits with administration of ITSI. Further evaluation is warranted to confirm this efficacy.

Objective: This investigation evaluated the effects of early administration of an intratympanic steroid injection (ITSI) in combination with systemic steroids treatment in patients with acoustic trauma caused by gunshot noise.

Methods: Nineteen patients eligible under the criteria established concerning delayed treatment for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received prednisolone (PD) only (n?=?8), and those who received PD with ITSI (n?=?11). ITSI treatment was initiated simultaneously alongside systemic PD administration. These patients received ITSI every other day for a total of four treatments. Pure-tone air conduction threshold audiometry, to record the pure-tone average (PTA) at 2, 4, and 8?kHz, was conducted upon each patient’s initial visit, and 1 month after starting treatment, to evaluate the degree of hearing gain (hearing gain (dB)?=?(initial PTA) – (final PTA)).

Results: The initial PTA in PD-only and PD with ITSI groups were 52.75?±?15.50?dB and 50.27?±?12.01?dB, respectively. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of the two groups, which include age and the number of days that treatment was delayed. In the multivariable linear regression analysis, both the initial PTA and the treatment method showed a significant association (R^2?=^?0.41). The unstandardized regression coefficient of the initial PTA was 0.47 (p?=?0.02). Patients with additional ITSI showed significant improvement in the degree of hearing gain compared with the PD-only group (unstandardized regression coefficient =11.48, p?=?0.03)     

Intratympanic steroid therapy for refractory sudden sensory hearing loss: a 12-year experience with the Silverstein catheter

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Aim/Objective: Determine if local administration of corticosteroids to the inner ear can improve hearing and speech intelligibility after the failure of conventional treatment for SSNHL loss when administered for 10 days after the onset of the hearing loss in a large cohort of 77 patients.

Materials and methods: A Silverstein MicroWick? was placed under local anesthesia and endoscopic control in the round window niche, allowing self-administration of methylprednisolone twice daily for four weeks.

Results: An improvement of the pure tone average was shown in 31% of patients. Speech intelligibility improved significantly in 55% of the total cohort and in 34% of the population with a stable pure tone average. Among the 77 patients, 22% used a hearing aid. Only 14% of the patients were hearing-aid users in the group with an improvement in speech intelligibility as opposed to 31% in the failure group.

Conclusion and significance: Local administration of steroids to the inner ear through the round window route improves hearing and speech intelligibility in patients after failure of conventional therapy. The use of a hearing aid was reduced by 50% when speech intelligibility was improved.     

Hearing and ear status of Pacific children aged 11 years living in New Zealand: the Pacific Islands families hearing study

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hearing loss and ear problems in Pacific children, and investigate current and past demographic, health and social factors potentially associated with hearing and ear problems.

Design: A cross-sectional observational study design nested within a birth cohort was employed.

Study sample: Nine-hundred-twenty Pacific children aged 11?years were audiologically assessed. Using average hearing thresholds at 500, 1k and 2k Hz, 162 (18%) right and 197 (21%) left ears had ≥20?dB hearing loss. Hearing loss was mild (20–39?dB) in most cases; 2% of ears had moderate to moderate-severe (40–69?dB) hearing loss. However, only 101 (11%) children had normal peripheral hearing defined by passing hearing threshold, tympanogram and distortion product otoacoustic emission assessments. Those with confirmed middle ear disease at age 2?years had significantly increased odds of a non-Type A tympanogram (adjusted odds ratio: 2.00; 95% confidence interval: 1.56, 2.50) when re-assessed at age 11?years.

Conclusions: Hearing loss, abnormal tympanograms, and auditory processing difficulties were present in many Pacific children. Interventions are also urgently needed to mitigate the effect of the longstanding ear disease likely to be present for many Pacific children.     

Round window membrane visibility related to success of hearing preservation in cochlear implantation

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the degree of round window membrane (RWM) exposure and hearing outcome.

Materials and methods: Forty-six ears with cochlear implantation (CI) were enrolled. The degree of RWM exposure was divided into Grade I (<25%), Grade II (25–50%), and Grade III (>50%). The hearing outcomes were evaluated at 1.5 and 12 months postoperatively.

Results: Twenty-seven ears were Grade I, 13 were Grade II, and 6 were Grade III. RW approach was used in all ears of Grades II and III and 20 ears of Grade I and cochleostomy was used in 7 ears of Grade I. The pattern of bony overhang was multidirectional in 41 ears. Threshold shift significantly decreased proportional to the increase of RWM exposure after CI. The mean RWM exposure was 32.1?±?24.4% in ears with more than partial preservation (n?=?17), and 13.3?±?11.7% in the other ears (n?=?6) at 12 months post-CI (p?=?.061). Age at CI differed significantly between ears that had more than partial preservation and the other ears at 1.5 months post-CI.

Conclusions and significance: Degree of RWM exposure and age at CI might be factors predicting hearing outcome after CI using the RW approach.     

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss: a comparison of the results of a nationwide epidemiological survey in Japan

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), and acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) using the results of a nationwide survey database in Japan and to analyze the variables associated with their clinical features and the severity of hearing impairment, treatment, and prognosis.

Methods: Participants were patients registered between April 2014 and March 2016 in a multicenter epidemiological survey database involving 30 university hospitals and medical centers across Japan. Statistical analysis was performed to clarify the factors associated with their clinical characteristics and the severity of hearing impairment, treatment, and prognosis.

Results: Idiopathic SSNHL and ALHL differed significantly in terms of male-to-female ratio, age distribution, and time from onset to start of treatment. The treatment methods and hearing prognosis also differed markedly between the two diseases. A majority (92%) of idiopathic SSNHL patients were administered some type of corticosteroid, while half of the ALHL patients received corticosteroids and a diuretic agent.

Conclusion: The results suggested that idiopathic SSNHL and ALHL belonged to different categories of inner ear disease.