[Clinical characterization of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss].
BACKGROUND
The etiology and factors influencing the prognosis of idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss are still in focus. To determine pathogenetic relevant factors, a detailed clinical characterization of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss remains to be performed.


METHODS
The history of 103 patients who presented with a sudden sensorineural hearing loss and received a standard treatment with prednisolone und pentoxyphylline (Stennert-Schema) has been investigated with a new questionnaire. In addition, audiological and serological investigations were analysed.


RESULTS
A partial or total recovery of hearing after therapy was reported by 57 % of patients, on average 15 dB. Half of the patients sustained at least one recurrent idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss. In single cases, fibromuscular dysplasia and hypothyroidism in autoimmunthyroidism were detected. Additionally, smoking was identified as a disease modulating factor. The age of admission to the hospital was significantly reduced in the group of smokers compared to non-smokers (p = 0.02). Non-smokers reported more episodes of sensorineural hearing loss compared to smokers (p = 0.02) according to their higher age. One third of the patients reported a high level of noise exposure in private and business, which was related with the sudden sensorineural hearing loss.


CONCLUSIONS
By collecting an exact medical history, in more than 50 % of cases etiological and predisposing factors of sudden sensorineural hearing loss can be detected which lead to further diagnostic investigations and therapies.
Brors
D
D
Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, St. Elisabeth-Hospital, Bleichstrasse 15, Bochum. dominik.brors@rub.de
Eickelmann
A K
AK
Gäckler
A
A
Sudhoff
H
H
Lautermann
J
J
Dazert
S
S
Kunstmann
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D011239:Prednisolone; D010431:Pentoxifylline