title: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss: a comparison of the results of a nationwide epidemiological survey in Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), and acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL) using the results of a nationwide survey database in Japan and to analyze the variables associated with their clinical features and the severity of hearing impairment, treatment, and prognosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were patients registered between April 2014 and March 2016 in a multicenter epidemiological survey database involving 30 university hospitals and medical centers across Japan. Statistical analysis was performed to clarify the factors associated with their clinical characteristics and the severity of hearing impairment, treatment, and prognosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Idiopathic SSNHL and ALHL differed significantly in terms of male-to-female ratio, age distribution, and time from onset to start of treatment. The treatment methods and hearing prognosis also differed markedly between the two diseases. A majority (92%) of idiopathic SSNHL patients were administered some type of corticosteroid, while half of the ALHL patients received corticosteroids and a diuretic agent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggested that idiopathic SSNHL and ALHL belonged to different categories of inner ear disease.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Nagoya University, Graduate School of Medicine , Nagoya , Japan.
authors.forename: Tadao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.affiliation: a Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Nagoya University, Graduate School of Medicine , Nagoya , Japan.
authors.forename: Michihiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sone
authors.affiliation: b Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Ryosuke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kitoh
authors.affiliation: b Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Shin-Ya
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Nishio
authors.affiliation: c Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery , Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogawa
authors.affiliation: c Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery , Keio University School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Sho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanzaki
authors.affiliation: d Department of Otolaryngology , Ehime University School of Medicine , Toon , Japan.
authors.forename: Naohito
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hato
authors.affiliation: e Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine , Sapporo , Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.affiliation: f Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Tsukuba , Tsukuba , Japan.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.affiliation: g Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Saitama School of Medicine , Moroyama , Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikezono
authors.affiliation: h Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital , National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities , Tokorozawa , Japan.
authors.forename: Kotaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.affiliation: i Department of Otolaryngology , International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital , Minato , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.affiliation: j Division of Hearing and Balance Research , National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Kimitaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaga
authors.affiliation: k Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Yamagata University School of Medicine , Yamagata , Japan.
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kakehata
authors.affiliation: l Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine , Hirosaki , Japan.
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsubara
authors.affiliation: j Division of Hearing and Balance Research , National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
authors.affiliation: m Department of Otolaryngology , Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine , Maebashi-City , Japan.
authors.forename: Takaaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.affiliation: n Department of Otolaryngology , Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital , Kobe , Japan.
authors.forename: Yasushi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Naito
authors.affiliation: o Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences , Fukuoka , Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.affiliation: p Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy , Okayama , Japan.
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishizaki
authors.affiliation: b Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.affiliation: q Department of Otolaryngology , Kitasato University School of Medicine , Sagamihara , Japan.
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.affiliation: r Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Iwate Medical University , Morioka , Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: s Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine , University of the Ryukyus , Nishihara , Japan.
authors.forename: Mikio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: t Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery , University of Toyama , Toyama , Japan.
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shojaku
authors.affiliation: u Department of Otolaryngology , Nagasaki University Faculty of Medicine , Nagasaki , Japan.
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.affiliation: v Department of Otolaryngology , Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Toranomon Hospital , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Hidehiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.affiliation: w Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Miyazaki , Miyazaki , Japan.
authors.forename: Testuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tono
authors.affiliation: x Department of Otolaryngology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Ube , Yamaguchi , Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.affiliation: y Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine , University of Tokyo , Tokyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamasoba
authors.affiliation: b Department of Otorhinolaryngology , Shinshu University School of Medicine , Matsumoto , Japan.
authors.forename: Shin-Ichi
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Usami
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss; acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss; epidemiological survey; severity of hearing impairment; treatment