Evaluation of factors effective on prognosis in patients with sudden hearing loss

Abstract

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is one of the important illnesses that has to be managed immediately, however consensus about its treatment is not present. At its pathophysiology, causes like viral infection, vascular factors, labirinth membrane rupture and autoimmunity are thought to be responsible. Although macromolecules like steroids, vasodilatator drugs, plasma volume expanders and urografin are used at treatment, many new treatment modalities are tried. This study was performed in 37 patients with the diagnosis of sudden hearing loss admitted to Ondokuz Mayis University Faculty of Medicine Otorhinolaryngology Department between May 2003 and April 2006. Steroid (1 mg/kg oral), urografin (10 ml i.v. at first day, then 5 ml i.V.), reomakrodeks (500 ml i.v. infusion for 8 hours) and Piracetam (2×6 g i.v. for 5 days) were given to all patients. Criteria determined by 'Sudden Deafness Research Team of the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare' were used in the evaluation of treatment results. When the treatment results were evaluated, it was seen that prognosis was bad in patients with total hearing loss and hearing loss involving low frequencies had a better prognosis. In the presence of tinnitus as a vestibulocochlear symptom, prognosis was better.