Effectiveness of Pulse Steroid Therapy in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss – A Prospective Study

Abstract

Objective: To study the role of an initial high dose of intravenous steroids in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Study Design: A prospective case series of 20 patients presenting to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jubilee Mission Medical College, with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. All patients were treated using the same protocol of initial high-dose intravenous steroids.

Results: Of the 20 patients, 5 showed complete recovery, 10 showed slight improvement, and 4 showed no improvement according to Siegel’s criteria. One patient was lost to follow-up. The mean improvement in hearing was 19.663 dB. No differences in outcome were observed with respect to age, sex, tinnitus, or vertigo.

Conclusion: Initial steroid therapy is the recommended treatment for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss according to the 2019 AAO-HNS guidelines, although the optimal dose and route are not specified. The study protocol of initial pulse steroid therapy achieved a recovery rate exceeding the expected spontaneous recovery rate. The presence of vertigo or tinnitus did not indicate a poorer prognosis.

Significance: Initial high-dose intravenous steroid therapy may contribute to improved hearing recovery rates.