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Vestibular dysfunction and hearing outcome in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 June 2025

Ali Omidvari Open the ORCID record for Ali Omidvari [Opens in a new window] ,
Alimohamad Asghari ,
Mohsen Ahadi ,
Ahmad Daneshi Open the ORCID record for Ahmad Daneshi [Opens in a new window]  and
Zahra Azad
Ali Omidvari
Affiliation:
ENT and Head and Neck Research Center and Department, The Five Senses Health Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Alimohamad Asghari*
Affiliation:
ENT and Head and Neck Research Center and Department, The Five Senses Health Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Ahadi
Affiliation:
Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ahmad Daneshi
Affiliation:
ENT and Head and Neck Research Center and Department, The Five Senses Health Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Azad
Affiliation:
Skull Base Research Center, The Five Senses Health Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
*
Corresponding author: Alimohamad Asghari; Email: dramasghari@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective

To describe vestibular dysfunction accompanied by sudden sensorineural hearing loss and explore its potential prognostic role.

Methods

A total of 44 Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing loss cases were enrolled. Pure tone audiometry (PTA) was performed at the first visit and three months after standard therapy. Patients’ improvement and severity of hearing loss were categorised based on Siegel and American Speech and Hearing Association criteria. Their recovery rate and factors affecting recovery were explored.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 52.1 years. The caloric and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential test abnormalities were detected in 36.4 and 31.8 per cent of participants. Vertigo was present in 36.4 per cent at the first visit. Based on American Speech and Hearing Association criteria, 16 patients experienced at least 1 grade improvement to a less severe hearing loss status at the follow up. A total of 31.7 per cent of patients demonstrated complete or partial recovery. Vestibular dysfunction was associated with poorer PTA results.

Conclusion

Abnormal caloric and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential tests, as well as the presence of vertigo, can indicate more profound inner-ear damage.

Keywords

Sensorineural hearing lossvestibular diseasesvestibular function testsvertigo

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 139 , Issue 8 , August 2025 , pp. 713 - 717
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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