Sudden Deafness with Worsening or Fluctuating Hearing Loss Yasuo Kakuta, Yukio Ohkouchi and Iwao Ohtani

Abstract

This study examined 54 patients with acute unilateral sudden deafness who visited our department within 1 month after crisis during the past 6 years. Average hearing loss was calculated in the low frequency band, middle frequency band and high frequency band, respectively. Patients were divided into 3 groups:
1. Temporarily worsening hearing loss group: Patients with a hearing loss that worsened more than 10 dB in any band after medical treatment.
2. Fluctuating hearing loss group: Patients with an increased hearing loss greater than 10 dB after a recovery of hearing loss greater than 10 dB in any band.
3. Controls: Others.
The fluctuating hearing loss group and temporarily worsening hearing loss group tended to have vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss of the contralateral side and unfavorable prognosis. Fluctuations in hearing were found in the low frequency band or in the low and middle frequency band. Temporarily worsening hearing was found in the low frequency band or high frequency band.