SSNHL

Question 1

What is SSNHL?

Answer 1

Abrupt, SNHL without apparent cause

Occurs with 3 continuous frequencies, last longer than 3 days

Question 2

Underlying cause is _____

Answer 2

UNKNOWN

Question 3

Characteristics of SSNHL (think of symptoms)

Answer 3

Tinnitus in 70 to 85% of patients
Aural fullness and/or vertigo
Usually unilateral

Question 4

Degree of hearing loss may range from ___ to ____

Is there a common configuration for the hearing loss?

Answer 4

Mild to profound

NO

Question 5

SSNHL does not have a known underlying cause meaning that it is …

Answer 5

Idiopathic

Question 6

SSNHL suspected to be due to vascular causes… what does this mean?

Answer 6

Hearing loss due to an interruption of the blood supply to the cochlea and/or VIIIth nerve
Likelihood also increased by alcohol use and smoking

Question 7

SSNHL increases risk for ____ and patients developed a _____ ____ event within 1 day to 2 months after developing SSNHL

Answer 7

Stroke, cerebral ischemic

Question 8

SSNHL is also suspected to have an underlying viral cause … what does this mean?

Answer 8

Hearing loss is due to autoimmune diseases and viral disorders

Question 9

SSNHL is also suspected to be due to trauma … what does this mean?

Answer 9

Hearing loss due to trauma to vulnerable auditory structures, may occur immediately or some time after the injury

Question 10

What does treatment for SSNHL include ….

Answer 10

Because etiology is unknown, treatment is sometimes a guess and success varies
Typically try steroids (most common), dietary restrictions, bed rest

Question 11

What are the five variable associated with the prognosis of SSNHL?

Answer 11

• Identification: earlier treatment, the better
• Severity of hearing loss: Recovery less likely in cases of sudden severe hearing loss and poor speech discrimination
• Presence of vertigo: associated with less successful recovery
• Age of patient: patients over 40 are less likely to recover
• Shape of audiogram: rising and mid-frequency losses recover more frequently than sloping or flat losses

Question 12

What does time course of recovery look like with medical treatment?

Answer 12

Usually occurs within a few days to a few weeks

Question 13

How does the time course of recovery look like without medical treatment?

Answer 13

Usually no recovery however spontaneous recovery can occur (~25% of cases)
Typically happens within the first two weeks

Question 14

Why is the extent of recovery difficult to determine?

Answer 14

Baseline audiograms are almost never available