Abstract:Abstract:ObjectiveTo comparatively analyze the prognostic factors in sudden sensorineural hearing loss between children and adults and provide guidance for clinical treatment and prognosis evaluation.MethodsClinical data of 237 patients (258 ears) with sudden sensorineural hearing loss treated in our department from Jan 2008 to Oct 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. Of them, 26 were pediatric patients (29 ears) (pediatric group) and 211 were adults (229 ears) (adult group). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine factors associated with prognosis (patients’ age, gender, ear side, treatment onset, initial hearing threshold, audiogram configuration, presence of tinnitus, vertigo and ear fullness) in the pediatric group and adult group respectively, and the differences between the two groups were compared.ResultsPediatric patients accounted for 11.0% of total cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The average hearing threshold (88.7±15.8)dB of the pediatric group was higher than that of the adult group ［(72.5±24.7)dB,(P<0.05)］. For the audiogram configuration, total deafness type comprised 69.0% in pediatric group, which was higher than that in adult group (44.5%)(P<0.05). After positive treatment, the overall recovery rates of the pediatric and the adult group were 51.7% and 45.4% respectively, and the difference was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that vertigo, initial hearing threshold had significant influence on prognosis in the pediatric group while onset of treatment, vertigo and initial hearing threshold had significant influence on prognosis of the adult group.ConclusionsHearing impairment in children with sudden sensorineural hearing loss is more severe than that in adults, but the difference of overall recovery rate after treatment between them is statistically insignificant. Less hearing impairment and absence of vertigo are favorable factors for recovery in pediatric and adult patients. Earlier treatment leads to favorable outcomes in adults. Patients’ age, gender, ear side, concurrence of tinnitus and ear fullness has insignificant influence on the prognosis in both groups.
