Pecorari Giancarlo, Riva Giuseppe, Naqe Nertila, Bruno Gabriele, Nardo Matteo, Albera Roberto
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin School of Medicine, Turin, Italy.
J Int Adv Otol. 2019 Apr;15(1):56-61. doi: 10.5152/iao.2019.6670.
The recurrence rate of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) varies from 0.8% to 40%. However, to the best of our knowledge, no data on long-term hearing variations are present in the literature. The aim of this observational study was to analyze long-term variations of the hearing threshold in unilateral SSNHL without recurrence.
A total of 50 patients affected by unilateral SSNHL were evaluated. Patients underwent a treatment consisting of intravenous corticosteroids. Clinical and audiometric features were recorded. Patients underwent pure tone audiometry at a mean follow-up of 5.26±2.28 years. Differences between the affected and unaffected ear were analyzed.
Comparing the post-treatment and follow-up audiograms, there was a worsening of hearing in the unaffected ear. On the contrary, no significant difference over time was found for the affected ear. 54% of patients showed no changes over time, 26% showed worsening, and 20% showed an improvement in hearing. The variation correlated with alcohol consumption and the presence of vasculopathies. An average improvement of hearing over time was observed at low frequencies.
The time evolution in SSNHL is not predictable on the basis of the clinical and audiometric data. The majority the patients shows no changes in hearing loss in the affected ear. Patients who consume alcohol or have vasculopathies also have a higher risk of worsening of hearing. Further prospective studies are mandatory to better assess variations over time and their relationship with the effect of aging on hearing.
突发性感音神经性听力损失（SSNHL）的复发率在0.8%至40%之间。然而，据我们所知，文献中没有关于长期听力变化的数据。本观察性研究的目的是分析无复发的单侧SSNHL患者听力阈值的长期变化。
共评估了50例单侧SSNHL患者。患者接受了静脉注射皮质类固醇的治疗。记录临床和听力特征。患者在平均随访5.26±2.28年时接受纯音听力测试。分析患耳和未患耳之间的差异。
比较治疗后和随访时的听力图，未患耳的听力有所恶化。相反，患耳随时间未发现显著差异。54%的患者听力随时间无变化，26%的患者听力恶化，20%的患者听力改善。这种变化与饮酒和血管病变的存在有关。低频时观察到听力随时间平均有所改善。
基于临床和听力数据，SSNHL的时间演变无法预测。大多数患者患耳的听力损失没有变化。饮酒或患有血管病变的患者听力恶化的风险也更高。需要进一步的前瞻性研究来更好地评估随时间的变化及其与衰老对听力影响的关系。
