Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)

Introduction

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) is a rapid onset hearing impairment, often occurring over a period of 72 hours. It is a critical otologic emergency requiring prompt medical attention.

Clinical Features and Symptoms of SSNHL

Patients often present with the following symptoms:

Sudden loss of hearing in one or both ears
Vertigo or dizziness
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Aural fullness or ear pressure

Diagnosis of SSNHL

Diagnosis involves a combination of clinical assessment and audiometric evaluation. Key diagnostic approaches include:

Pure-tone audiometry
Tympanometry
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to rule out retrocochlear pathologies

Treatment Options

Several treatment strategies exist for SSNHL, including:

Systemic corticosteroids (e.g., oral prednisone)
Intratympanic steroid injections
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Management of underlying causes such as viral infections or autoimmune disorders