Sudden onset hearing loss--causes, investigations and management

Sudden onset hearing loss (SOHL) has a number of causes, ranging from the simple and reversible to the profound and permanent. The sequelae of a sudden loss of hearing can be significant. This article seeks to address the various aetiologies of SOHL, how they can be diagnosed at the earliest opportu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australian family physician Vol. 42; no. 9; p. 641
Main Authors: Foden, Neil, Mehta, Nishchay, Joseph, Theo
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Australia 01.09.2013
Subjects:
Acoustic Impedance Tests
Audiometry, Pure-Tone
Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use
Hearing Loss, Conductive - diagnosis
Hearing Loss, Conductive - etiology
Hearing Loss, Conductive - therapy
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - diagnosis
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - drug therapy
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - etiology
Hearing Loss, Sudden - blood
Hearing Loss, Sudden - etiology
Hearing Loss, Sudden - therapy
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical History Taking
Neuroma, Acoustic - complications
Neuroma, Acoustic - diagnosis
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
ISSN:0300-8495
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:Sudden onset hearing loss (SOHL) has a number of causes, ranging from the simple and reversible to the profound and permanent. The sequelae of a sudden loss of hearing can be significant. This article seeks to address the various aetiologies of SOHL, how they can be diagnosed at the earliest opportunity, and outlines the methods of investigation and management. SOHL causes great concern for the patient. It is when there is a 30 dB or greater hearing loss over less than 72 hours. History and examination, with discerning use of investigations, can identify whether the hearing loss is of conductive or sensorineural origin; and those individuals who have a potentially reversible hearing loss that can be addressed quickly and in an appropriate fashion. However, in the majority of cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), no cause is identified and it is considered idiopathic SSNHL. In these patients, high dose oral prednisolone may improve hearing outcome, particularly if started early.
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ISSN:0300-8495