Studies on the prognostic factors of idiopathic acute sensorineural deafness

: Acute sensorineural deafness(ASD) presents with various hearing types, and dizziness and tinnitus are accompanied in some cases. The purpose of this study was to estimate the influence of risk factors, including dizziness and tinnitus, on the recovery of hearing acuity. Eighty-three patients who visited our hospital within 1 month from its onset and who were diagnosed with ASD between October 1998 and September 1999 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients whose etiology was defined, or whose symptoms shifted to inconsistent deafness were excluded. There were 35 males(ages ranged from 22 to 71 years; average 49 years) and 48 females(ages ranged from 17 to 79 years; average 46 years). The improvement rates were analysed using the following factors such as levels and hearing types at initial examination, interval between its onset and treatment, and presence or absence of dizziness and tinnitus. Concerning hearing types at initial examination, tan type or low sound disturbance type resulted in favorable prognosis. The patients whose treatment was started by the 7th day from its onset had significantly better prognosis than those whose treatment begun after 15 days. The patients who were complicated with tinnitus, especially accompanied with dizziness, indicated a significantly worse prognosis than those without tinnitus. Tan type or low sound disturbance type is a favorable factor, and tinnitus is an unfavorable factor for ASD prognosis. Though tinnitus generally is a significant factor for poor prognosis, this study remains to suggest that it alone causes the poor prognosis. The sooner treatment is provided indicates the better outcome.