Introduction: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a clinical diagnosis, characterized by decrease in hearing of ≥ 30 decibel (dB) affecting at least three consecutive frequencies, occurring over a 72 hour period. Since some theories advocate blood viscosity phenomena as a probable aetiology for SSHL, in our study we attempted to understand the impact of “hypercoagulability state” (atrial fibrillation / active oncologic disease) on the recovery of audiometric thresholds.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective study of all cases of SSHL diagnosed on a two and a half year period at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department in a tertiary referral center. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the impact of comorbidities on the recovery of hearing thresholds.
Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 58 years, with 59% of cases being males. Twenty four % had “hypercoagulability state” (atrial fibrillation / active oncologic disease). Regarding management, 76% were treated with systemic corticosteroid therapy. The mean tonal threshold at the time of diagnosis was 81 dB and the mean threshold value after at least 6 months was 59 dB, [statistical significance (p <0.05)]. In patients without a “hypercoagulable state”, the improvement of auditory thresholds was higher compared to those with that comorbidity (p <0.05)
Conclusions: We concluded that patients with “hypercoagulable state” have worse hearing thresholds recovery and therefore, it should be consideredas a risk factor for recovery of SSHL.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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