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

Abstract

Objective: To study the role of initial high dose of intravenous steroids in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Study Design: We did a prospective study of a case series of 20 patients who presented to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jubilee Mission Medical College, with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. All patients were put on the same treatment protocol of initial high dose steroids.
Results: Of the 20 patients, 5 cases showed complete recovery, 10 cases showed slight improvement and 4 cases showed no improvement (As per Siegel’s criteria).1 patient was lost to follow up. Mean improvement in hearing was found to be 19.663. No differences were noted in cases of different age, sex, and those with tinnitus and vertigo.
Conclusion: For sudden sensorineural hearing loss the treatment is initial steroid therapy (as per AAO-HNS guidelines 2019). But the exact dose or route of administration of steroid is not mentioned. Our treatment protocol of initial pulse steroid therapy produced a recovery rate, which exceeds the spontaneous recovery rate. In addition, vertigo or tinnitus did not indicate a poor prognosis.
Significance: Initial high dose IV steroid treatment may play a role in the improved recovery rates.