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).     

Clinical statistics of recurrent acute low-tone senseorineural hearing loss

Recently, acute low-tone senseorineural hearing loss (ALHL) has become common, and its good prognosis is known well. On the other hand, several reports have suggested that ALHL is frequently associated with Meniere's disease. We retrospectively examined the clinical course of 357 cases that were diagnosed and treated as ALHL at our hospitals. Forty-four of these cases that showed high-tone hearing loss in association with age-related changes were classified as atypical cases. The clinical futures of 49 "poor prognosis cases", who experienced recurrent hearing loss and/or profound hearing loss, are reported. Eight of the 49 cases who experienced recurrences had progressive hearing loss upto middle or high tones. Seventeen cases complained of vertiginous sensation, and 8 of these cases experienced recurrent attacks of vertigo and were diagnosed as having Meniere's disease. The former seventeen cases accounted for 34.7% of the "poor prognosis cases", and the latter eight accounted for 16.3% of these cases. Our results suggest that the hearing loss is more frequently associated with Meniere's disease in cases who experience recurrent hearing loss. Thus, cases initially diagnosed as ALHL may include some cases of progressive hearing loss and Meniere's disease. Even in cases in which hearing improvement is obtained, careful clinical observation is necessary, especially in older patients with bilateral affliction and atypical presentation. ALHL has been generally considered to have a good prognosis, however our examination revealed a relatively high frequency of recurrences, progressive hearing loss and complication by vertigo. We recommend, based on this evidence, that careful explanation of this disease is necessary at time of initial informed consent.     

Clinical observations of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss considered as cochlear hydrops

Acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) has the following three criteria; obscure origin, acute onset and sensorineural hearing loss limited to low frequencies. Sixteen cases of ALHL which were considered as cochlear hydrops using glycerol test and electrocochleogram were studied. All patients visited our department within two weeks after onset and were followed up for one year or more after initial examination. The subjective symptoms, the character of vestibular and hearing impairment and prognosis of 16 cases with ALHL were also investigated. The results were as follows. 1. Patients complained of ear fullness rather than hearing impairment. Four patients were unaware of hearing loss. 2. Recruitment phenomenon was found in all of 15 cases examined. Vestibular findings were mostly normal, except that spontaneous nystagmus was found in two cases and head-shaking nystagmus in one. 3. Recurrence and fluctuation of hearing impairment occurred in 14 cases. Three cases had an attack of rotatory vertigo once and two has diagnosed as Meniere's disease later. 4. During three months prior to last examination, hearing was stabilized in nine cases and continued to fluctuate in seven cases. In the former, hearing was improved in four cases, unchanged in three, and worsened in two. 5. Two patients underwent an endolymphatic sac operation and have had a good prognosis. 6. The authors suggest that most of ALHL should be considered as transient cochlear hydrops because the subjective symptom and audiological and vestibular findings of our cases are similar to those of cases which were reported as ALHL by other investigators. According to the findings of glycerol test and electrocochleogram, endolymphatic hydrops in ALHL is considered to exist in all turns of cochlea.     

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.     

Immunological responses in acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss and Ménière's disease

OBJECTIVE: The autoimmune response appears to play an important role in some types of acute sensorineural hearing loss. Endolymphatic hydrops associated with fluctuating hearing loss has also been suggested to be caused by an immunological mechanism. Acute low-tone hearing loss (ALHL) associated with Ménière's disease (MD) is characterized by fluctuating hearing loss, and its etiology is thought to involve endolymphatic hydrops. The aim of this study was to attempt to determine the etiology of ALHL in MD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A flow cytometer was used to analyze intracellular cytokine levels in peripheral blood from 19 patients with ALHL and 26 patients with MD and the data compared to those obtained from age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The patients with ALHL showed significantly increased levels of Th1 subsets (interferon-gamma-producing helper T cells) as compared to those in normal controls. The levels of Th2 (IL-4-producing helper T cells) subsets did not differ from those in the control group and thus Th1 predominated in ALHL patients. The patients with MD showed significantly increased natural killer cell activity but no Th1 dominance. These patients had no obvious systemic or local disease except in the inner ear. CONCLUSION: An abnormality of the Th1/Th2 balance in ALHL and increased natural killer cell activity in MD are thought to relate to inner ear disorder. These results are consistent with the possibility that the etiology of ALHL and MD involves an immune response.     

Bilaterality in acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss

Bilaterality in acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) is more generally recognized than that in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Subjects were 274 patients diagnosed with ALHL based on criteria of a study group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan, i.e., total of 3 low tone hearing of 70dB or more and, a total of 3 high-tone hearing of 60dB or less, and treated at the departments of otolaryngology at Yamanashi University and Suwa Central Hospital. ALHL involving bilateral ears symptoms and/or bilateral hearing impairment conforming to diagnostic criteria was selected and summarized. Clinical ear symptoms, clinical test results, and hearing levels (total 3 low tone hearing, 1kHz, and total of 3 high-tone hearing) were statistically analyzed. We also reviewed Japanese clinical reports of ALHL that include bilateral cases. In 32 cases (11.7%) of 274 cases, both ear symptoms and hearing impairment were bilateral. In 22 (8.0%) of the 274, bilateral ear symptoms were present, but showed unilateral hearing loss conforming to diagnostic criteria. Another 22 (8.0%) out the 274 reported unilateral ear symptoms, but hearing tests indicated bilateral ALHL. A total of 76 cases (27.7%) of the 274 had bilaterality in either ear symptoms or hearing loss. Our review indicated that 9.0% (162 of 1803) ALHL patients were bilaterally affected, possibly indicating that AIHL includes a larger number of bilateral cases than currently assumed, if the opposite side were given a especially detailed clinical interview. Statistical analysis (Mann Whitney test, P<0.01) of hearing of unilateral cases indicated that 3 low tone hearing was more affected than 3 high-tone hearing, even on the normal side. These results indicate that ALHL tends to be bilateral, possibly due to the mechanism of pathogenesis, and also that the mechanism may include both local and general conditions. This more closely resembles Meniere's disease than idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Both sides of bilateral cases were not usually the same in hearing patterns, glycerol test results, or prognosis. A statistically significant difference (Mann Whitney test, P<0.01) in total of 3 low tone hearing was seen between worse and better sides in bilateral cases. The degree of disease on both sides in bilateral cases thus was not always the same. Bilateral cases may result from both the influence of general conditions such as fatigue, stress, and lack of sleep and local conditions such as pathogenesis of endolymphatic hydrops that may cause differences in both ears. No clear difference was seen in clinical symptoms, hearing levels, and clinical examination, e.g., Schellong and glyceol tests, between unilateral and bilateral cases. Bilateral cases had a poorer prognosis (lower complete recovery ratio; chi2 test P<0.01) than unilateral cases. Our results indicated that cautious evaluation of opposite ear is necessary in diagnosis, treatment, and prognostication of ALHL.     

Prognosis of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss]

We studied 50 patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) who were examined at the Department of Otolaryngology, University of Tokyo, and followed up for 18 months or more. We investigated the prognosis of hearing loss within 3 months after onset, rate of recurrence during long-term follow-up, interval between the first and the second episodes of hearing loss or between onset and the time when the diagnosis of Meniere's disease was made, and factors affecting prognosis. The results were as follows. 1. Within the initial 3 months of follow-up, hearing loss continued to fluctuate in 5 patients. In the remaining 45, hearing returned to normal in 34, improved without returning to normal in 6, showed no marked change in 4, and became worse in one. 2. In long-term follow-up, the recurrence of hearing loss without vertigo occurred in 16 patients, and 5 others were eventually diagnosed as having Meniere's disease. The average interval between the first and second episodes of hearing loss was 9.2 months, and the diagnosis of Meniere's disease was made an average of 27 months after onset. 3. Recurrence was not significantly related to the initial prognosis of hearing loss. 4. Within the initial 3 months of follow-up, the prognosis of hearing loss was significantly better in patients whose hearing loss at 1 kHz was within 20 dB, and tended to be better in females and in patients attending within one week of onset. Long-term follow-up showed that the rate of recurrence was significantly lower in patients aged 40 years or more, and tended to be lower in patients who visited the hospital within one week of onset or whose hearing loss at 1 kHz was within 20 dB. 5. There were no significant differences between patients with single and recurrent attacks with respect to sex, subjective symptoms, and results of the glycerol test and electrocochleography. ALHL tends to recur without any relationship to the initial prognosis of hearing loss. Since it is still difficult to predict whether or not hearing loss will recur, long-term follow-up is necessary even in patients with good initial prognosis.     

急性低频感音神经性听力损失的临床研究

目的　探讨急性低频感音神经性听力损失(acutelow tonesensorineuralhearingloss,ALHL)的病因病理、临床特点和诊治方法。方法　选择30例ALHL患者为研究对象,在详细采集病史和耳科检查的基础上,行系统的听力学检测,包括纯音测听、声导抗测试、听性脑干反应(auditorybrainstemresponse, ABR)和耳声发射(otoacousticemissions,OAE)。所有患者接受为期15天的皮质类固醇激素试验性治疗,疗程结束后随访6~14个月(平均10 2个月)。结果　本组患者以青年为主,临床主诉多为低音调耳鸣、耳闷和听力下降,耳科检查未见异常。所有患者(30例31耳)纯音测听显示轻到中度的低频感音神经性听力损失;鼓室图呈“A”型, 26耳引出镫骨肌声反射,其中14耳Metz试验阳性。受检的20耳中,ABR均正常;初诊时14耳瞬态诱发性耳声发射未通过,畸变产物耳声发射听力图表现为0 .5及0 .75kHz两个频率点上异常。经激素治疗后, 24耳听力完全恢复, 4耳部分恢复, 3耳无变化,总有效率90. 3%。结论　ALHL以突发的低音调耳鸣、听力下降和耳闷为主要表现,常单耳发病,听力学定位诊断提示为蜗性病变,仅累及低频区。本病尚无特效疗法,皮质类固醇激素可能是一种有希望的治疗药物。     

Epidemiological survey of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Objectives: A nationwide epidemiological survey involving 23 hospitals in Japan was conducted and the predictive values of demographic data were examined statistically.

Methods: A total of 642 patients from 23 hospitals, including 20 university hospitals, in Japan were enrolled in the study. Age ranged from 8 to 87 years, and all were diagnosed with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) between 1994 and 2016. Demographic data for the patients, such as symptoms, gender, mean age, and distribution of ALHL grading, were collected and analyzed in relation to prognosis using Student’s t-test, χ² test and logistic regression.

Results: Female gender (p?<?.013), younger age (p?<?.001), low-grade hearing loss (p?<?.001), and shorter interval between onset and initial visit (p?<?.004) were significantly predictive of a good prognosis. The prognosis for definite ALHL was significantly better than that for probable ALHL (p?<?.007).

Conclusions: The severity of initial hearing loss, interval between onset and initial visit and age were important prognostic indicators for ALHL, while female gender was an important prognostic indicator peculiar to ALHL.     

An electrocochleographic study of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss

Summary Twenty-four patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) were examined using electrocochleography. The negative summating potential (SP) amplitude and the summating potential/action potential (AP) ratio were significantly greater in the ALHL patients than in normals. The SP/AP ratio was smaller in the ALHL patients than in patients with known Meniere's disease and moderate hearing loss, although the SP amplitude was somewhat greater in the former. An abnormal increase in the SP amplitude following click stimuli was found in 54% of the ALHL patients, while the SP/AP ratio was increased abnormally in 63% of these patients. These findings suggest that the pathophysiology of ALHL may be similar to that for endolymphatic hydrops.     

急性低频感音神经性聋的短期临床疗效分析

目的探讨小剂量、短疗程皮质类固醇激素对急性低频感音神经性聋的疗效。方法选取28例(30耳)急性低频感音神经性聋患者作为研究对象,随机分为强的松治疗组16例(耳)与对照组12例(14耳),两组患者在口服等剂量强的松基础上,对照组加用血管扩张剂和神经营养剂治疗,1周后观察疗效。结果两组患者总有效率(完全恢复和部分恢复)为83.3%(25/30),总治愈率(完全恢复)46.7%(14/30);激素治疗组的有效率87.5%(14/16),治愈率50.0%(8/16),对照组有效率78.6%(11/14),治愈率42.9%(6/14),两组间的疗效比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论急性低频感音神经性聋的治疗有别于突发性耳聋,治疗上无需使用血管扩张剂及神经营养剂等,初始小剂量皮质类固醇激素治疗本病有效。     

Alteration of frequency range for binaural beats in acute low-tone hearing loss

The effect of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) on the interaural frequency difference (IFD) required for perception of binaural beats (BBs) was investigated in 12 patients with unilateral ALHL and 7 patients in whom ALHL had lessened. A continuous pure tone of 30 dB sensation level at 250 Hz was presented to the contralateral, normal-hearing ear. The presence of BBs was determined by a subjective yes-no procedure as the frequency of a loudness-balanced test tone was gradually adjusted around 250 Hz in the affected ear. The frequency range in which no BBs were perceived (FRNB) was significantly wider in the patients with ALHL than in the controls, and FRNBs became narrower in the recovered ALHL group. Specifically, detection of slow BBs with a small IFD was impaired in this limited (10 s) observation period. The significant correlation between the hearing level at 250 Hz and FRNBs suggests that FRNBs represent the degree of cochlear damage caused by ALHL.     

Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: It was the authors' premise that the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test may be used to differentiate acute low-tone hearing loss (ALHL) from Meniere's disease with low-tone HL. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2002, consecutive 12 patients with ALHL and another 12 patients with definite Meniere's disease with low-tone HL were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent audiometry and VEMP test, before and after treatment with isosorbide for 3 consecutive months. RESULTS: Before treatment, 12 patients with ALHL revealed normal VEMPs (11, 92%) and augmented VEMPs (1). After treatment, 11 (92%) patients had resolved to normal hearing within 3 days. One year later, two (17%) patients progressed to Meniere's disease. In comparison with Meniere's disease, 6 (50%) of 12 patients showed normal VEMPs before treatment, and 7 (58%) patients had their hearing improved 3 months after treatment. Comparison of VEMP responses or hearing outcome between both groups exhibited significant differences. CONCLUSION: Most patients with ALHL reveal normal VEMPs throughout the episode, indicating that the saccule is spared. In contrast, 50% of Meniere's disease patients with low-tone HL demonstrate abnormal VEMPs, showing a significant difference. Therefore, the VEMP test can be used to differentiate ALHL from Meniere's disease with low-tone HL.     

急性低频下降型感音神经性听力损失的临床研究

目的：研究急性低频下降型感音神经性听力损失（ALHL）的病因、诊断和治疗方法。方法：选择55例ALHL患者为研究对象,经详细询问病史和耳专科检查后,行纯音测听,声导抗测听和听性脑干反应（ABR）,随机分为泼尼松组和对照组治疗,疗程结束后随访6个月。结果：两组患者多以青年为主,主要症状为耳闷,低音调耳鸣和听力减退,耳科检查无殊。所有患者（55例58耳）纯音听阈示轻到中度低频感音神经性聋,鼓室导抗图“A”型,49耳镫骨肌反射引出,其中40耳Metz试验阳性。受检的45耳中ABR均正常。治疗后泼尼松组效果优于对照组（P〈O．05）。结论：ALHL以突发的低音调耳鸣,听力减退和耳闷为主要表现,常单耳发病,听力学定位诊断提示为蜗性病变,仅累及低频区。本病对皮质类固醇激素有一定的治疗效果。     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the endolymphatic space in patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to measure the volume of the endolymphatic space (ELS) and to investigate prognosis in patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL).MethodsA total of 61 ALHL patients participated; 47 were definite while 14 were probable ALHL cases. The definite ALHL patients were classified into three groups: A, “Cure”; B, “No cure”; and C, “Recurrence.” Also, nine patients for whom diagnosis changed from ALHL to cochlear Meniere’s disease (cMD) without vertigo (ALHL-cMD group). Images of the inner ear fluid space, positive perilymph, and positive endolymph were acquired using a 3T magnetic resonance scanner. Three-dimensional (3D) images were semi-automatically reconstructed using anatomical and tissue information to fuse the 3D images of the inner ear fluid space with the 3D ELS images.ResultsPatients in the no cure group showed a significantly higher ELS/total fluid space (TFS) volume ratio in the affected cochlear region than the patients of the other groups. Additionally, the affected vestibular ELS/TFS volume ratio in the cure group was significantly lower than that in the recurrence group. There were significantly higher cochlear and vestibular ELS/TFS ratios in ALHL-cMD patients than in control subjects.ConclusionsThese results indicate that the cochlear ELS/TFS volume ratio should be considered when investigating the extent of recovery, while the extended ELS in the vestibule should be considered when investigating cases of recurrence. Thus, our study suggests that the severe extended ELS appeared likely to change to cMD and that the prognostic determination of ALHL is possible.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of endolymphatic sac in acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss without vertigo

The etiology of acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) may be associated with deteriorated function of the endolymphatic sac. Using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging on a 1.5-tesla MR system, we evaluated the frequency of visualization and contrast enhancement of the endolymphatic sac in 25 patients (9 men and 16 women; age range 11-64 years) with ALHL and 21 control subjects. The present study demonstrated that the frequency of visualization and enhancement of the endolymphatic sac in patients with ALHL was not significantly higher than in control subjects.     

全聋型和重度平坦型突发性聋的治疗及预后

目的了解全聋型和严重平坦型突发性聋的治疗效果及影响预后的因素。方法对2003年1月至2006年10月就诊的62例听力损失为中重度以上（0．25、0．5、1、2、4kHz的平均纯音听阈≥56dB）的突发性聋患者进行研究。其中18例单独应用血栓通（三七总皂苷）治疗，19例应用泼尼松加血栓通治疗，25例应用甲泼尼龙加东菱迪芙加血栓通治疗。结果单独应用血栓通的有效率为22．2％（4／18），显效率为5．6％（1／18），应用泼尼松加血栓通的有效率为57．9％（11／19），显效率为36．8％（7／19），联合应用甲泼尼龙、东菱迪芙、血栓通的有效率为68．0％（17／25），显效率为60．0％（15／25）。经统计学处理，应用皮质类固醇激素加血栓通和或加东菱迪芙治疗中重度以上的平坦型或全聋患者的疗效要明显好于单独应用血栓通（P〈0．05）。全聋患者伴眩晕的比率[88．2％（15／17）]明显高于严重平坦型患者[26．7％（12／45）]，且疗效较差。结论严重平坦型预后较好，以大剂量皮质类固醇激素和东菱迪芙为主的联合治疗的效果较好；全聋型往往伴有眩晕，预后较差。     

Hyperbaric oxygen and steroid therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

In our controlled retrospective analysis of medical records in tertiary care academic medical center, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy combined with steroid administration for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) in comparison with that of steroid administration alone. Our subjects were 130 consecutive inpatients with ISSNHL (hearing levels ≥40 dB; time from the onset of hearing loss to the start of treatment ≤30 days). Sixty-seven patients underwent HBO plus steroid therapy (HBO group), and 63 were given steroids alone (steroid group). Hearing recovery was evaluated by grade assessment and by the improvement in hearing compared to that in the unaffected contralateral ear. The cure rate and hearing improvement rate were not statistically different between the two groups; however, the recovery rate was significantly higher in the HBO group than in the steroid group (59.7% vs. 39.7%; P < 0.05). With regard to patients with initial hearing levels of ≥80 dB, the hearing improvement rate was significantly higher in the HBO group than in the steroid group (51.1 ± 7.0% vs. 27.1 ± 7.8%; P < 0.05), while in patients whose initial hearing levels were <80 dB, hearing outcomes were not statistically different between the two groups. In both the HBO and steroid groups, patients with initial hearing levels of <80 dB showed a better hearing improvement rate than those with initial hearing levels of ≥80 dB. In conclusion HBO therapy shows a significant additional effect in combination with steroid therapy for ISSNHL, particularly in patients with severe hearing loss.     

Prognostic factors of profound idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Profound idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss is thought to have a poor prognosis, but few studies have focused on this condition. We aimed to assess the impact of patient factors, audiologic parameters, and salvage intratympanic steroid injection therapy on the prognosis of profound idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The demographic, clinical, and audiologic data, degree of hearing recovery, and efficacy of intratympanic steroid injection therapy in 576 patients with profound idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (mean age 56.2 ± 14.9 years) who had been admitted at four tertiary referral centers between 2000 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The mean hearing level at the initial presentation was 108.1 ± 9.5 dB. Many patients experienced vertigo (52.1 %) and tinnitus (77.4 %). At the 2-month follow-up, 172 (29.8 %) patients showed some degree of hearing recovery, but only 21 (3.6 %) patients recovered normal hearing. Further, the 116 patients who had received salvage intratympanic steroid injections showed a better audiologic outcome (improvement, 26.1 ± 24.3 vs. 15.7 ± 22.1 dB; P = 0.000) than those who had not (n = 429). In conclusion, a higher degree of hearing loss at the initial presentation indicates a poorer prognosis. Salvage intratympanic steroid injection therapy may improve the hearing of patients with profound idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss after the failure of systemic steroid therapy.     

急性低频感音神经性耳聋的临床观察

目的探讨急性低频感音神经性耳聋(acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss,ALHL)的临床特点和疗效,提高对该疾病的诊断和认识。方法回顾性分析62例ALHL患者的临床表现、听力学检查和治疗情况,总结其临床发展规律。结果发病年龄以青中年为主,女性明显多于男性,多为单耳发病,表现为耳闷或伴耳鸣,听力下降,不伴眩晕,所有患者纯音听阈均表现为轻中度低频感音神经性耳聋,治疗前后分别为(38.71±6.82)dB和(20.56±9.44)dB,两者比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。鼓室图"A"型,49例(80.9%)镫骨肌反射引出,40例(64.5%)Metz试验阳性,62例ABR均正常。62例患者治疗前DPOAE在0.5～1 kHz的引出率仅为18.7%,反应幅值明显降低,治疗后DPOAE在0.5～1 kHz的引出率提高至43.8%,幅值亦有所提高。结论 ALHL以突发的耳闷和(或)伴耳鸣为主要表现,常单耳发病,青中年女性为主,听力学定位诊断为蜗性聋,仅累及低频区,皮质类固醇激素治疗有较好的疗效。