Objectives The prognosis of sudden low frequency hearing loss (SLFHL) is relatively good, but recurrences of hearing loss and possible progression to Meniere’s disease is still a clinically important concern. This study was conducted to confirm the rate at which SLFHL proceeds to Meniere’s disease.
Methods We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 160 SLFHL patients who were followed up for more than 6 months from September 2005 to August 2013. Progression, initial hearing level, recovery and recurrence of hearing loss were reviewed.
Results 106 patients (66.25%) had complete hearing recovery, 32 (20%) had recurrent hearing loss. Of the 32 recurrent group, 15 (9.38%) had progressed to Meniere’s disease after average of 1.7±1.4 years. The mean age of nonrecurrent group was higher than recurrent group (55.3±14.6 and 48.0±13.4, respectively, p=0.011). The threshold of 250Hz was significantly higher in the nonrecurrent group compared with recurrent group (p=0.047).
Conclusions In patients with SLFHL, recurrence at relatively young age should be considered with the possibility of progression to Meniere’s disease.
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Findings of Intravenous Gadolinium Inner Ear Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Acute Low-Tone Sensorineural Hearing Loss Hee Won Seo, Yikyung Kim, Hyung-Jin Kim, Won-Ho Chung, Young Sang Cho Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology.2023; 16(4): 334. CrossRef
Objectives To measure 125 Hz pure-tone thresholds in patients with low frequency sensorineural hearing loss (LFHL) and vertigo and to evaluate the necessity of 125 Hz thresholds for assessment of LFHL with vertigo. Methods: Pure tone audiometry including 125 Hz was performed in 25 dizzy patients with LFHL ≤500 Hz and 25 age-matched subjects with normal hearing. Patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo were excluded. Comparison of 125 Hz between LFHL and control groups, and comparison of 125 Hz and other frequencies in LFHL group was made. Results: Mean pure-tone thresholds at 125 Hz in LFHL group (41.7±7.5 dB) was higher than that in normal controls (12.8±6.4 dB). Three (12%) patients had normal thresholds at 125 Hz in LFHL group, whereas all subjects showed normal at 125 Hz in control group. None with average hearing thresholds at 250 and 500 Hz ≥35 dB had normal threshold at 125 Hz. There was a significant correlation between 125 Hz and other low frequencies in LFHL group (250 Hz; r=0.79, 500 Hz; r=0.66). Conclusions: Not every patient of LFHL with vertigo has abnormal hearing threshold at 125 Hz, although all subjects with normal hearing is within normal limits at 125 Hz. Measurement of 125 Hz pure-tone threshold is highly recommended when a mild LFHL exists.
Objectives Intratympanic dexamethasone (ITD) is a standard treatment for patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ITD vs. combination of ITD and diuretics for acute low frequency sensorineural hearing loss (LFHL) with vertigo. Methods: A total 31 patients with LFHL that had developed within previous 2 weeks were enrolled and categorized into two groups: treated with ITD four times on 4 consecutive days (ITD group; 17 patients) and treated with ITD in the same way and diuretics orally for 2 weeks (combination group; 14 patients). After 6 months, we analyzed treatment outcomes using subjective improvement and audiometric change. Results: Hearing thresholds at low frequencies ≤500 Hz were significantly improved in both ITD only and combination group (p<0.05). The cure rate of combination group was not significantly higher than that of ITD only group (57.1% vs. 52.9%, p>0.05). For subjective symptoms, there were no significant differences of improvement rate in both groups (combination 64.3% vs. ITD only 64.7%, p>0.05). In pure tone audiometry, the improvement rate of combination group was not significantly different from that of ITD only group (71.4% vs. 76.5%, p>0.05). There was a significant correlation between the complete recovery rate and duration of symptoms. Conclusion: ITD alone is an effective treatment modality for acute LFHL with vertigo within 2 weeks of development. Combined ITD and diuretics have no additive effect for the recovery of hearing in patients with LFHL.