• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2021

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common disorder; however, sequential, bilateral presentation of the disease is rarer than unilateral presentation. Clinical otologists usually focus on treating the side with impaired hearing when patients first present with unilateral SSNHL, and therefore, may not warn patients of the possibility of subsequent hearing impairment in the contralateral ear. Furthermore, it is professionally discouraging when a patient presents with profound, sequential SSNHL after initial treatment. This may adversely impact the doctor-patient relationship, even if the patient is offered the best possible care from their first visit. Herein, we report the case of a patient with profound, idiopathic, bilateral SSNHL with a time interval of 37 days between involvement of both ears. Even though high-dose steroids were administered intraorally and intratympanically, the patient's hearing was not restored, and the patient eventually required bilateral cochlear implant surgery. Our report demonstrates that sequential, profound, bilateral SSNHL may manifest without any specific signs.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.419-428
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• 2011

1. Objective: The aim of this study was to report significant improvement of tinnitus and insomnia after treatment with Cheongsimyeonja-tang in a Taeeumin patient with Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss(SSHL) that accompanied with Tinnitus. 2. Method: We measured the hearing recovery. For diagnosis on this case, pure tone audiometry was used. The degree of improvement was evaluated by Siegel's Criteria. Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory(THI) were also used to assess tinnitus objectively. 3. Result: There was no improvement in pure tone audiometry by Siegel's Criteria. However, VAS score was decreased from 10 to 1 and THI score was also decreased from 74 to 48. 4. Conclusion: A patient with SSHL, who has little possibility of recovery of hearing loss, was treated with Cheongsimyeonja-tang in a short period and significant improvement in tinnitus and insomnia was observed. We consider that consistent treatment of Cheongsimyeonja-tang can contribute to improve the hearing loss.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.145-160
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to report a significant improvement of Tinnitus with Sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSHL) after treatment with Daehamhyung-tang.Methods : We experienced four cases of tinnitus with SSHL treated by Daehamhyung-tang. To evaluate the results of this treatment, we used the visual analogue scale(VAS)Results : After using Daehamhyung-tang, VAS and clinical symptoms of 3 patients were improved remarkably, but 1 case was no interval change.Conclusion : This study suggests that using Daehamhyung-tang is effective on tinnitus with SSHL.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.186-195
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using oriental medical treatment withMelonis Calyxvomiting therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL).Methods : We experienced one case of SSNHL treated with oriental medical treatment(acupuncture, herbal medicine) andMelonis Calyxvomiting therapy(MCVT). MCVT is a traditional treatment, which induces vomiting by eatingMelonis Calyxpowder with water. To evaluate the results of this treatment, we measured the hearing recovery, decrease of tinnitus and vertigo. The degree of hearing improvement was evaluated by Siegel's Criteria. Decrease of tinnitus and vertigo was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS).Results : The pure tone 5 frequency average improved by 39㏈(marked recovery, from 64㏈ to 25㏈). VAS of tinnitus decreased from 10 to 1, and vertigo decreased from 4 to 0.Conclusions : This study suggests that using MCVT with oriental medical treatment is effective on SSNHL.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.182-192
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report 20 patients who have been diagnosed with sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL) in the Korean medical hospital for last 3 years. Methods : 20 patients who have been hospitalized with a SSNHL in Korean medical hospital from June 2014 to June 2017 were analyzed by reviewing the patients' charts. Results : In the study group, Pure tone audiometry was performed in 17 patients. 3 of them showed 'Marked improvement' in pure tone audiometry. And 6 of them showed 'Slight Improvement.' On the other hand, 9 of them showed 'No response' or even got worse. However, the symptoms accompanied with hearing loss like tinnitus, aural fullness, vertigo improved most of patients. Conclusions : This study shows that the Korean medical treatment is effective in the SSNHL.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.155-159
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• 2009

Sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss is a disease that develops within several hours to several days. Its etiology has not yet been verified, but the disturbance of the circulation of blood in the inner ear, inner-ear hydrops, and viral infection are considered possible causes of the disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Panax ginseng extract, which is known to have a vasodilatory effect, on sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Sixty-nine patients suffering from sudden sensorineural hearing loss were admitted to Korea University Anam Hospital from March to December 2008. They were divided into the experimental (30 ears) and control (39 ears) groups. Ginseng extract (2700 mg/day, 4 weeks) was added to the therapeutic regimen in the experimental group. The effect of ginseng extract therapy was analyzed according to the factors relating to the prognosis. A considerable hearing improvement was documented in both groups (32.2 dB in the experimental group and 25.8 dB in the control group). However, there was little beneficial effect of ginseng extract on additional hearing improvement compared with control. The total recovery rate of the experimental group (80.0%) was better than that of the control group (58.9%), and the experimental group's high-tone hearing gain at 3 kHz (29.7 dB) was better than that of the control group (21.7 dB). The results of the study suggest that the effects of ginseng therapy tend to be superior to those of the conventional therapy, but the difference between the two is not statistically significant. The hearing gains tend to be in the higher frequencies and may be due to the promotion of cellular differentiation from the supporting cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.263-271
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• 2006

Objective : This study describes the cases of sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) patients with marked or complete recovery. Methods : Three patients received oriental medical treatments continuously for more than 1 month and measured the hearing recovery. For diagnosis on these cases, pure tone audiometry (GSI 38, Welch allyn company) was used. For treatment, acupuncture, herbal-medicine and moxibustion treatment were applied. Results : All patients of this report had the recovery of hearing. In 2 cases, the pure-tone 5 frequency (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 KHz) average improved by more than 35 dB (Marked recovery). In 1 case, it was within the normal limits after oriental medical therapy (Complete recovery). In addition, tinnitus and vertigo decreased in all patients. Conclusions : We may expect that the oriental medical therapy improvers the hearing recovery in the patients of SSNHL.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and the clinical factors associated with prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in diabetic patients. Subjects and Methods: Forty-nine diabetic with unilateral SSNHL were retrospectively included. All patients received systemic high dose steroid therapy within one month after onset and had more than one month of follow-up audiogram. The basic characteristics of the patients, initial and follow-up audiograms, laboratory data, and methods of steroid treatment were collected. Results: Compared to reference values in healthy subjects, 79%, 55%, and 45% of the patients had higher values of mean neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), respectively. Older patients had significantly less degree of hearing loss, but they also had significantly worse hearing thresholds in the unaffected ear. After steroid treatment, less than half patients (47%) showed hearing recovery. Simultaneous intratympanic dexamethasone (ITD) injections with systemic steroid did not confer an additional hearing gain or an earlier recovery rate in diabetic patients with SSNHL. In the multivariate analysis, initial hearing thresholds of affected ear and timing of steroid treatment were significantly associated with hearing prognosis in diabetic patients with SSNHL. Conclusions: Diabetic patients with SSNHL tended to have increased NLR, LMR, and PLR, which are reported to be associated with microvascular angiopathy. Simultaneous ITD injections to improve hearing recovery in diabetic patients with SSNHL seems unnecessary.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and the clinical factors associated with prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in diabetic patients. Subjects and Methods: Forty-nine diabetic with unilateral SSNHL were retrospectively included. All patients received systemic high dose steroid therapy within one month after onset and had more than one month of follow-up audiogram. The basic characteristics of the patients, initial and follow-up audiograms, laboratory data, and methods of steroid treatment were collected. Results: Compared to reference values in healthy subjects, 79%, 55%, and 45% of the patients had higher values of mean neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR), respectively. Older patients had significantly less degree of hearing loss, but they also had significantly worse hearing thresholds in the unaffected ear. After steroid treatment, less than half patients (47%) showed hearing recovery. Simultaneous intratympanic dexamethasone (ITD) injections with systemic steroid did not confer an additional hearing gain or an earlier recovery rate in diabetic patients with SSNHL. In the multivariate analysis, initial hearing thresholds of affected ear and timing of steroid treatment were significantly associated with hearing prognosis in diabetic patients with SSNHL. Conclusions: Diabetic patients with SSNHL tended to have increased NLR, LMR, and PLR, which are reported to be associated with microvascular angiopathy. Simultaneous ITD injections to improve hearing recovery in diabetic patients with SSNHL seems unnecessary.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 1998

Background: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss(ISSHL) has been generally defined as an abrupt loss of auditory acuity without precipitating factors. Since ISSHL was first described as a disease entity, numerous reports assessing a variety of treatment regimens have been published. But its etiology, pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis are controversial at the present time. Stellate ganglion block(SGB) has been used for the treatment of ISSHL by vasodilatation and increased blood flow to the inner ear. Methods: We reviewed the records of 152 patients to investigate the efficacy of SGB for ISSHL. The control group was managed with medications such as hypaque, heparin, steroid, nicotinic acid, and vitamins. The SGB group was managed with SGB and the same medications. SGB was performed with 8 ml of 1.0% mepivacaine. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated by pure-tone average following therapy. The recovery of hearing was defined as Siegel's criteria I, II, or III. Results: The recovery rate of the SGB group was higher than that of the control group(61.5 vs. 42.9%, p<0.05). The recovery rate was higher in patients who were treated early, within 7 days from the onset of symptoms, especially in the SGB group(79.7%). And in the case that initial hearing loss was severe (>70dB), the SGB group had a higher recovery rate(64.2%) than the control group(42.5%). Conclusions: SGB is thought to be a useful therapy for ISSHL, especially in the patients who were treated soon after onset or whose initial hearing loss was severe.