Abstract
Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine which factors are most strongly related to outcome in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The study group comprised 177 patients (177 ears). The sudden sensorineural hearing loss was cured in 35, prominently recovered in 54, recovered in 58, and no change in 30. The following factors were studied: age, sex, affected side, the days before start of treatment, vestibular symptom, mean hearing level at 0.25Hz, 0.5kHz, 1kHz, 2kHz, and 4kHz, inpatient/outpatient status, smoking, treatment (adrenocortical hormones, low molecular weight dextrans, vitamin B12, satellite ganglion block therapy). The first analysis was underwent between the group without change of hearing and the recovered group. The factor most strongly related to outcome was the days before the start of treatment. The second analysis was underwent between the group with no change and the prominently recovered groups. The days before the start of treatment, age, vestibular symptom, and the mean hearing level at 0.25kHz, 0.5kHz, 1kHz, 2kHz, and 4kHz were significantly related to outcome. The third analysis was undergone between the group with no change and the cured groups. The days before the start of treatment, age, vestibular symptom, and satellite ganglion block therapy were most strongly related to outcome. There was no significant relation to outcome for other factors.
