Long-term Observation of Hearing in Steroid-responsive Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

The long-term follow up study of hearing was conducted in a steroid-responsive sensorineural hearing loss. The subjects were 21 ears of 16 cases and the mean observation period after start of steroid administration was about 6.4 years.
The results obtained were as follows;
1) A positive correlation was found in the course of hearing fluctuation between two consecutive neighboring frequencies of all frequency matchings, between low frequency area and mid frequency area and also between mid frequency area and high frequency area.
2) A course of hearing fluctuation in both ears almost corresponded in 3 out of 5 bilateral cases, while it differed in other 2 cases.
3) The mean frequency in acute attack of hearing change was about once a year in low frequency area and twice a year in mid- and high frequency areas.
4) The mean degree of deterioration and recovery in each acute attack of hearing change was about 20-25dB.
5) The maximum hearing fluctuation during follow up period was calculated in each ear. The mean value was about 35dB in all frequency areas.
6) The difference between initial hearing level and final hearing level during follow up period was found to be minimal. The mean difference was only 6.2dB even in high frequency area which showed the largest difference.