Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2014 Aug;57(8):511-517. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2014.57.8.511.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Old Age

• Park CH
• Lee YJ
• Kim MK
• Chung JH
• Park CW
• Lee SH

• KMID: 1716010
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2014.57.8.511

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
In aging society, interest in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) in elderly have been increased. However, as there has been little discussion about prognostic factors of ISSNHL in old age, this study aims to investigate clinical factors related with prognosis of ISSNHL in elderly and compare with that in adults.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
A retrospective medical chart review was performed in patients over 19 years old who diagnosed with ISSNHL from Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2012. Patients were categorized into the old age group (over 65 years old, n=62) and the control group (aged 19 to 64 years old, n=218). Clinical findings, audiological result and treatment outcomes were compared between two groups. And possible prognostic factors of SSNHL in elderly were also investigated.
RESULTS
Significant difference of hearing recovery was identified between the old age group (33.9%, 21/62) and control group (50.9%, 111/218) according to Siegel's criteria (p=0.021). Multivariate analysis concluded that delayed treatment and low speech discrimination score (SDS) might lead to poor prognosis in elderly. The presence of tinnitus or dizziness, audiometric configurations, hypertension and diabetes mellitus did not affect the treatment results of ISSNHL in the old age group.
CONCLUSION
Onset of treatment and initial SDS could be possible prognostic factors of ISSNHL in elderly. Early diagnosis and urgent treatment are more important in old age.

Keyword

Old age; Prognosis; Sudden sensorineural hearing loss

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Aging
Diabetes Mellitus
Dizziness
Early Diagnosis
Hearing
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural*
Humans
Hypertension
Multivariate Analysis
Prognosis*
Retrospective Studies
Speech Perception
Tinnitus