Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the etiology of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) and to call attention to Acute Otitis Media (AOM) with SSHL.

Study Design and Setting: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter analysis of SSHL. We were used spearman correlation matrix test for correlations between all variables. One hundred twelve patients with SSHL were evaluated.

Results: A total of 112 patients (62 males, 50 females) ranging in age from 17 to 70 years (average male 40.21 ± 14.04, average female 40.26 ± 11.16) were included. Fourteen of these had AOM. The majority of patients had moderate hearing loss. Flat and down-sloping types of audiogram were also observed (P<0.05). There was a positive relationship between SSHL and AOM, SOM, cardiac pathology as hypertension. No significance was established in terms of age or sex (p>0.05). Otoscopic examination was consistent with AOM. SSHL occurred as mixed-type hearing loss. Tympanometry was observed as type A.

Conclusion: In the treatment and follow-up periods, AOM patients should be checked and treated for the presence (if any) of early hearing loss.

Keywords: Acute otitis media, Sudden sensorineural hearing loss, Hearing loss, Sensorineural hearing loss, Otitis media, Pure-tone audiogram, Tympanometry