[Relevant prognostic factors in hearing loss].

An attempt is made to define some of the important factors in the prognosis of sudden deafness: 136 patients could be divided into four groups. Group 1 achieved complete recovery of auditory function, group 2 had good recovery, group 3 poor recovery and group 4 had no recovery of auditory function. Different parameters were compared on these four groups. Subjects treated as outpatients were also included to allow assessment of the long term results. There was no difference in therapy among these four groups. The following proved to be unfavourable prognostic factors: deafness, objective vestibular signs, delay in starting treatment, high number of vascular risk factors, and advanced age. The extent of the hearing-loss (with the exception of total deafness), subjective symptoms such as vertigo and tinnitus and radiologically demonstrated lesions of the cervical spine, had no influence on the prognosis. The late results showed a marked tendency for late improvement of the auditory function.