Oral steroid regimens for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
OBJECTIVE
To determine hearing recovery in patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss treated with varying amounts of oral steroids.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review (n = 75) in a tertiary care clinic examined sudden hearing loss patients treated with 1 60-mg prednisone taper, 1 course of steroid less than a 60-mg taper, or any 2 courses of oral steroid.


RESULTS
Overall, 35% of the patients recovered a clinically significant amount of hearing. Recovery was associated with immediate treatment (within 2 weeks from onset), better hearing at the onset of treatment, and treatment with the higher dose of prednisone in patients with just 1 additional symptom (dizziness or tinnitus). Patients tended to continue to experience some recovery in hearing up to 4 months after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Immediate treatment of patients with unilateral idiopathic sudden hearing loss and additional symptoms (dizziness or tinnitus) with a 14-day course of 60 mg prednisone (with taper) is recommended.


METHODS
B-3.
Slattery
William H
WH
House Ear Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90057, USA. wslattery@hei.org
Fisher
Laurel M
LM
Iqbal
Zarina
Z
Liu
Nancy
N
D000284:Administration, Oral; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone