Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Clinical Profile and Hearing Outcomes Following an Office-Based Treatment Protocol – A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an otological emergency in which early recognition, audiological confirmation, and timely treatment are considered important for hearing recovery. Management in routine office-based practice may require a systematic approach incorporating early audiological assessment, identification of potentially contributory factors, and corticosteroid-based treatment. Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the clinical characteristics, evaluation, management, and short-term hearing outcomes of patients with SSNHL managed using a systematic office-based treatment protocol. Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients presenting with SSNHL to an office-based ENT practice between June 2019 and January 2023. Demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, potential etiological or contributory factors, comorbidities, audiological findings, investigations, and treatment were reviewed. Pure-tone audiometry was performed before treatment and during follow-up. The primary outcome was change in pure-tone hearing threshold following treatment. Results: Thirty patients were included, comprising 18 males and 12 females. Tinnitus was present in 40% of patients and giddiness in 15%. The majority of cases were classified as idiopathic, with idiopathic SSNHL associated with comorbidities accounting for an additional proportion. Comorbid conditions included hypertension, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, thyroid disorders and cardiac disease. The mean pretreatment pure-tone hearing threshold was 60.50 ± 20.74 dB HL, which decreased to 21.67 ± 8.77 dB HL following treatment. The difference between pretreatment and post-treatment thresholds was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In this retrospective cohort from an office-based ENT practice, a systematic approach incorporating early audiological assessment and corticosteroid-based management was associated with significant short-term improvement in hearing thresholds. These findings support the importance of prompt evaluation and structured management of SSNHL. Larger prospective studies with standardized treatment protocols, longer follow-up, and appropriate comparator groups are required to determine the independent contribution of individual treatment components to hearing recovery.