Treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
CONCLUSIONS
The therapeutic role of corticosteroids and/or corticosteroids with antiviral agents for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has yet to be fully elucidated; however, in cases where deafness is profound and of recent onset, a therapeutic trial is indicated.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate treatment regimens and their efficacies, as well as evaluating the potential prognostic correlates and allowing comparison between local and national standards of care for SSNHL.


METHODS
A retrospective evidence-based case series of 143 patients seen at the University of Rochester, Department of Otolaryngology between 1999 and 2002 was investigated. Treatment modalities included (1) observation, (2) steroids, and (3) steroids with antivirals.


RESULTS
The study demonstrates that steroid treatment, alone or in combination with antivirals, results in a significant improvement rate compared with observation. Results indicate that the more expediently a patient with SSNHL is seen by an otolaryngologist, the better their prognosis.
Jeyakumar
Anita
A
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY 14624, USA. anita_jeyakumar@urmc.rochester.edu
Francis
David
D
Doerr
Timothy
T
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000998:Antiviral Agents