METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 20 patients who had suffered from ISSHL from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017. ISSHL is defined as a rapid decline in hearing over three days or less affecting three or more frequencies by 30dB or greater. Comparison between the mode of steroid therapies and improvement in patients was done. At least 15dB improvement in pure tone audiogram (PTA) was considered as successful therapeutic intervention.
RESULTS: Twenty male and female patients who fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. The mean age of the patients was 41.4 years with a range from 13 to 72 years. Ninety percent patients presented with unilateral ISSHL involvement. Eight ears of patients who received systemic steroid therapy alone had improved hearings (75%). Out of seven ears from six patients who received salvage therapy, four ears (57.1 %) had improvement in PTA. Seven ears showed improvement in PTA from a total of eight patients who primarily received IT injections.
CONCLUSIONS: IT steroid therapy promises a favourable outcome in the improvement of the hearing, as compared to systemic steroid administration. Its usage is recommended not only for salvage therapy but should be used as primary treatment especially in those with co- morbidities.
Case Report: In this paper, an unusual case of bilateral SSNHL secondary to bilateral CVT with rapid and complete recovery is reported. The patient presented with sudden bilateral hearing loss associated with some neurological symptoms. Initial computed tomography (CT) venography revealed a CVT of bilateral transverse sinuses. The patient was started on an anticoagulant and imaging was repeated after five days, revealing the absence of the thrombosis. Serial pure tone audiometry (PTA) showed complete recovery of bilateral hearing within 10 days.
Conclusion: Early detection and intervention may fasten hearing recovery and improve the quality of life. The immediate restoration of venous blood flow and intracranial pressure may lead to the complete recovery of bilateral hearing loss.