The clinical analysis of bilateral successive sudden sensorineural hearing loss

The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of successive bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) with an interval of more than 1 year to aid the evaluation and management of successive bilateral SSNHL (BSSNHL). 14 successive BSSNHL patients and 118 unilateral SSNHL patients with severe and profound hearing loss were reviewed retrospectively. Information about successive BSSNHL was collected included demographics, the intervals between the attacks of bilateral ears, the past medical history, inducing factors, accompanying symptoms, pure-tone tests, blood tests, b-ultrasound examinations of vertebral artery and carotid artery, and medical interventions. And the comparison of improvement rate was made between successive BSSNHL and unilateral SSNHL. SPSS 15.0 was used to analyze the data. In successive BSSNHL, there were six males and eight females; the average aged was 49.86 ± 15.45 years (20–73 years). The interval of the two attacks was 11.43 ± 12.07 years (1–50 years) on average. The onset of treatment was 18.86 ± 12.71 days. Tinnitus was seen in 100 % of the patients, followed by vertigo in 42.85 %, and ear fullness in 21.43 %. 3 of 14 patients described obvious inducing factor: tiredness. Five patients (35.71 %) had hypertension histories, three (21.43 %) had diabetes histories, two (14.29 %) had surgery histories, one (7.14 %) was with depression history, one (7.14 %) was with coronary heart disease his...
Source: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research