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Trends in Amplification Sep 2011Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is commonly encountered in audiologic and otolaryngologic practice. SSNHL is most commonly defined as sensorineural hearing... (Review)
Review
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is commonly encountered in audiologic and otolaryngologic practice. SSNHL is most commonly defined as sensorineural hearing loss of 30 dB or greater over at least three contiguous audiometric frequencies occurring within a 72-hr period. Although the differential for SSNHL is vast, for the majority of patients an etiologic factor is not identified. Treatment for SSNHL of known etiology is directed toward that agent, with poor hearing outcomes characteristic for discoverable etiologies that cause inner ear hair cell loss. Steroid therapy is the current mainstay of treatment of idiopathic SSNHL in the United States. The prognosis for hearing recovery for idiopathic SSNHL is dependent on a number of factors including the severity of hearing loss, age, presence of vertigo, and shape of the audiogram.
Topics: Acoustic Stimulation; Audiometry; Auditory Threshold; Hearing; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Hearing Loss, Sudden; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Predictive Value of Tests; Recovery of Function; Risk Factors; Steroids; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 21606048
DOI: 10.1177/1084713811408349 -
Journal of the American Board of Family... 2021The family physician's role in recognizing and managing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is crucial. A recently updated otolaryngologic clinical practice... (Review)
Review
The family physician's role in recognizing and managing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is crucial. A recently updated otolaryngologic clinical practice guideline has been released for this emergency syndrome, but dissemination is limited to a specialty journal. As a result, the guidelines may not be widely available in the primary care setting where patients often present. We provide this focused review to clarify and disseminate SSNHL guidelines for the frontline family physician.
Topics: Emergency Service, Hospital; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Hearing Loss, Sudden; Humans; Physicians, Family; Primary Health Care
PubMed: 33452100
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.01.200199 -
Hearing Research Jun 2017Common causes of hearing loss in humans - exposure to loud noise or ototoxic drugs and aging - often damage sensory hair cells, reflected as elevated thresholds on the... (Review)
Review
Common causes of hearing loss in humans - exposure to loud noise or ototoxic drugs and aging - often damage sensory hair cells, reflected as elevated thresholds on the clinical audiogram. Recent studies in animal models suggest, however, that well before this overt hearing loss can be seen, a more insidious, but likely more common, process is taking place that permanently interrupts synaptic communication between sensory inner hair cells and subsets of cochlear nerve fibers. The silencing of affected neurons alters auditory information processing, whether accompanied by threshold elevations or not, and is a likely contributor to a variety of perceptual abnormalities, including speech-in-noise difficulties, tinnitus and hyperacusis. Work described here will review structural and functional manifestations of this cochlear synaptopathy and will consider possible mechanisms underlying its appearance and progression in ears with and without traditional 'hearing loss' arising from several common causes in humans.
Topics: Animals; Auditory Perception; Auditory Threshold; Cochlear Nerve; Glutamic Acid; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner; Hearing; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Humans; Nerve Degeneration; Noise; Risk Factors; Synapses; Synaptic Transmission
PubMed: 28087419
DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2017.01.003 -
The Journal of Infectious Diseases Mar 2020Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is a leading cause of hearing loss and neurological disabilities in children, with the disease burden and disabilities due to... (Review)
Review
Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is a leading cause of hearing loss and neurological disabilities in children, with the disease burden and disabilities due to cCMV greater than many other well recognized childhood conditions. A minority of infants with cCMV will have symptoms at birth. Infants with symptomatic cCMV are at higher risk for sequelae than those born without symptoms. The majority of infants with cCMV are asymptomatic at birth, but 10%-15% will develop hearing loss. Although clinical symptoms can help predict which infants will have sensorineural hearing loss, among asymptomatic cCMV there are currently no predictors of adverse outcome. The identification of a biomarker to identify those at highest risk of sequelae is highly desirable to target interventions to those who could potentially benefit. Because there is increasing rationale for establishing both targeted and universal screening programs for cCMV in the United States and worldwide, this is an urgent priority.
Topics: Child; Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Disabled Persons; Female; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Neonatal Screening; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Prognosis; Symptom Assessment
PubMed: 32134480
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz446 -
Ageing Research Reviews Nov 2021Diabetes (type 2) and sensorineural hearing loss are common health problems manifested with ageing. While both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have been associated with... (Review)
Review
Diabetes (type 2) and sensorineural hearing loss are common health problems manifested with ageing. While both type 1 and type 2 diabetes have been associated with hearing loss, a causal link has been difficult to establish. Individuals with diabetes have twice the incidence of hearing loss compared to those without diabetes and those with prediabetes have a 30% higher rate of hearing loss. Whether hearing loss is associated with diabetes independent of glycemic control remains to be determined. Hearing loss has its own set of risk factors and shares others with diabetes. This review will summarize the complex relationship between diabetes and sensorineural hearing loss.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Hearing Loss; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Humans
PubMed: 34384902
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101423 -
European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology,... Feb 2018Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common and alarming symptom that often prompts an urgent visit to an ENT specialist. Treatment of SSNHL remains one of the...
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common and alarming symptom that often prompts an urgent visit to an ENT specialist. Treatment of SSNHL remains one of the most problematic issues for contemporary otorhinolaryngology: although many meta-analyses and national guidelines have been issued, management is not standardized in terms of medical treatment, and duration and route of administration. We present several methodological suggestions for the study of treatments for SSNHL. These were developed from the existing level of evidence of the main treatments used in SSNHL by experts who convened at the IFOS 2017 ENT World Congress in Paris, France. All panelists agreed that one of the main limitations present in studies on SSNHL is related to the wide heterogeneity, which characterizes both the initial hearing deficit and the amount of hearing recovery. Although evidence of the efficacy of systemic steroids cannot be considered as strong enough to recommend their use, it is still the most widespread primary therapy and can be considered as the current standard of care. Therefore, systemic steroids stand as an adequate control for any innovative treatment. To reduce the number of subjects we suggest that the inclusion criteria should be restricted to moderate to profound levels of hearing loss. The efficacy of trans-tympanic steroids as a salvage therapy was suggested in several reports on small populations and needs to be confirmed with larger randomized controlled trials.
Topics: Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Hearing Loss, Sudden; Humans; Internationality
PubMed: 29396226
DOI: 10.1016/j.anorl.2017.12.011 -
The Journal of International Advanced... Jul 2023Autoimmune diseases may cause various kinds of conflicts in and outside the target organ, and some evidence brings forward the suggestion that autoimmune diseases may... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Autoimmune diseases may cause various kinds of conflicts in and outside the target organ, and some evidence brings forward the suggestion that autoimmune diseases may damage the auditory nerve and cause sensorineural hearing loss. However, this relationship is not clearly defined yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess sensorineural hearing loss in autoimmune diseases through systematic review and metaanalysis. The literature databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of knowledge, and Cochrane library were thoroughly searched, and a meta-analysis study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eighteen articles were included, involving 27 859 cases affected by autoimmune diseases. The prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss in systemic lupus erythematosus cases was 21.26 [3.80, 38.71]%, which was significant, and pooled analysis of odds ratio observed in individual studies showed that the odds of sensorineural hearing loss prevalence was 12.11 [7.4, 24.12] (P < .001). The prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss in rheumatoid arthritis cases was 16.14 [-9.03, 41.31]%, which was significant, and pooled analysis of odds ratio observed in individual studies showed that the odds of sensorineural hearing loss prevalence was 2.23 [1.84, 2.32] (P < .001). In vitiligo cases, the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss was 38.80 [22.36, 55.25]%, which was significant, and pooled analysis of odds ratio observed in individual studies showed that the odds of sensorineural hearing loss prevalence was 5.82 [3.74, 9.68] (P < .001). The present study showed that sensorineural hearing loss is significantly related to the autoimmune diseases of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and vitiligo. Therefore, these cases need a routine evaluation of sensorineural hearing loss.
Topics: Humans; Vitiligo; Autoimmune Diseases; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Arthritis, Rheumatoid
PubMed: 37528591
DOI: 10.5152/iao.2023.22991 -
Audiology & Neuro-otology 2019Several otologic conditions can present with fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, including Ménière's disease, autoimmune inner ear disease, and enlarged vestibular... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Several otologic conditions can present with fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, including Ménière's disease, autoimmune inner ear disease, and enlarged vestibular aqueduct. Although these 3 etiologies vary greatly, distinguishing between these conditions at initial presentation can be challenging. Furthermore, initial treatment of these conditions is often similar. In this review, we discuss historical and current perspectives on diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
SUMMARY
A literature search was performed regarding fluctuating hearing loss, and current treatment of these etiologies of fluctuating hearing loss was summarized. Immediate measures at the onset of acute hearing loss include corticosteroid therapy, while preventative and chronic therapies, which can limit disease severity and frequency, vary based on the specific condition treated. Key Messages: Fluctuating hearing loss can represent a range of pathologies, but the precise etiology may not be clear at initial presentation. Timely treatment and long-term follow-up, along with appropriate diagnostics, are necessary to optimize long-term hearing.
Topics: Endolymphatic Hydrops; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Hearing Tests; Humans; Meniere Disease
PubMed: 31315108
DOI: 10.1159/000500658 -
The Journal of International Medical... Feb 2021To analyze the etiologies, treatments, and outcomes of sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the etiologies, treatments, and outcomes of sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) during pregnancy.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective chart review of 25 pregnant patients treated for SSNHL between January 2012 and September 2019. Forty-nine age matched non-pregnant women with severe and profound hearing loss diagnosed with SSNHL during the same period served as controls. Data were recorded on age, symptoms, onset of hearing loss, audiometric results, treatments, and outcomes.
RESULTS
The mean age was 29.6 years (range 23-38 years). Intratympanic steroids (ITS) were administered in 15 (60.0%) pregnant women with SSNHL. Three women were treated with postauricular steroids only, while another woman was treated with intravenous ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole. The remaining six women received no medications. More than half (8/15, 53.3%) of pregnant women with SSNHL receiving ITS experienced hearing improvement. Pregnant women with profound hearing loss who received no medication had no hearing improvement. Most pregnant women with SSNHL (12/15, 80.0%) had higher fibrinogen levels than controls (mean values 3.77±0.71 g/L and 2.54±0.48 g/L, respectively).
CONCLUSION
Fibrinogen could be a risk factor for SSNHL during pregnancy. ITS may benefit pregnant women with severe and profound SSNHL.
Topics: Adult; Audiometry; Female; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Hearing Loss, Sudden; Humans; Injection, Intratympanic; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 33630715
DOI: 10.1177/0300060521990983 -
Cells Mar 2023Genetic sensorineural hearing loss and Meniere disease have been associated with rare variations in the coding and non-coding region of the human genome. Most of these... (Review)
Review
Genetic sensorineural hearing loss and Meniere disease have been associated with rare variations in the coding and non-coding region of the human genome. Most of these variants were classified as likely pathogenic or variants of unknown significance and require functional validation in cellular or animal models. Given the difficulties to obtain human samples and the raising concerns about animal experimentation, human-induced pluripotent stem cells emerged as cellular models to investigate the interaction of genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of inner ear disorders. The generation of human sensory epithelia and neuron-like cells carrying the variants of interest may facilitate a better understanding of their role during differentiation. These cellular models will allow us to explore new strategies for restoring hearing and vestibular sensory epithelia as well as neurons. This review summarized the use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells in sensorineural hearing loss and Meniere disease and proposed some strategies for its application in clinical practice.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Meniere Disease; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Cell Differentiation; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
PubMed: 37048061
DOI: 10.3390/cells12070988