Sudden Hearing Loss Differential Diagnoses

1. [Guideline] Stachler RJ, Chandrasekhar SS, Archer SM, et al, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Clinical practice guideline: sudden hearing loss. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012 Mar. 146 (3 Suppl):S1-35. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

2. Wei BP, Mubiru S, O'Leary S. Steroids for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006 Jan 25. CD003998. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

3. Sutton L, Schartinger V, Url C, et al. Intratympanic steroid use for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: current otolaryngology practice in Germany and Austria. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 May. 275 (5):1103-10. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

4. Demirhan H, Gokduman AR, Hamit B, Yurekli Altındag MF, Yigit O. Contribution of intratympanic steroids in the primary treatment of sudden hearing loss. Acta Otolaryngol. 2018 Mar 7. 1-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

5. Plontke SK. Diagnostics and therapy of sudden hearing loss. GMS Curr Top Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017. 16:Doc05. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

6. Anyah A, Mistry D, Kevern E, Markiewicz K. Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Average Time Elapsed Before Presentation to the Otolaryngologist and Effectiveness of Oral and/or Intratympanic Steroids in Late Presentations. Cureus. 2017 Dec 14. 9 (12):e1945. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

7. Okamoto M, Shitara T, Nakayama M, et al. Sudden deafness accompanied by asymptomatic mumps. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 1994. 514:45-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

8. Chang SL, Hsieh CC, Tseng KS, et al. Hypercholesterolemia is correlated with an increased risk of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a historical prospective cohort study. Ear Hear. 2014 Mar-Apr. 35(2):256-61. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

9. Rudack C, Langer C, Stoll W, Rust S, Walter M. Vascular risk factors in sudden hearing loss. Thromb Haemost. 2006 Mar. 95(3):454-61. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

10. Simmons FB. Theory of membrane breaks in sudden hearing loss. Arch Otolaryngol. 1968 Jul. 88(1):41-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

11. Goodhill V, Harris I. Sudden hearing loss syndromes. Goodhill V, ed. Ear Diseases, Deafness, and Dizziness. New York: Harper-Collins; 1979. 664-681.

12. Gussen R. Sudden hearing loss associated with cochlear membrane rupture. Two human temporal bone reports. Arch Otolaryngol. 1981 Oct. 107(10):598-600. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

13. Toubi E, Ben-David J, Kessel A, Halas K, Sabo E, Luntz M. Immune-mediated disorders associated with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2004 Jun. 113(6):445-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

14. Chung SD, Chen PY, Lin HC, et al. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss associated with iron-deficiency anemia: a population-based study. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 May. 140(5):417-22. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

15. Kim SH, Kim SJ, Im H, Kim TH, Song JJ, Chae SW. A Trend in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Data from a Population-Based Study. Audiol Neurootol. 2018 Feb 20. 22 (6):311-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

16. Shaia FT, Sheehy JL. Sudden sensori-neural hearing impairment: a report of 1,220 cases. Laryngoscope. 1976 Mar. 86(3):389-98. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

17. Sara SA, Teh BM, Friedland P. Bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss: review. J Laryngol Otol. 2014 Jan. 128 Suppl 1:S8-15. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

18. Hung SH, Lin HC, Kao LT, Wu CS, Chung SD. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is associated with chronic rhinosinusitis: population-based study. J Laryngol Otol. 2016 Apr 27. 1-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

19. Passamonti SM, Di Berardino F, Bucciarelli P, et al. Risk factors for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and their association with clinical outcome. Thromb Res. 2015 Jan 7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

20. Ni Y, Zhao X. [Carbogen combined with drugs in the treatment of sudden deafness]. Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Ke Za Zhi. 2004 Jul. 18(7):414-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

21. Ho HG, Lin HC, Shu MT, Yang CC, Tsai HT. Effectiveness of intratympanic dexamethasone injection in sudden-deafness patients as salvage treatment. Laryngoscope. 2004 Jul. 114(7):1184-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

22. Gouveris H, Selivanova O, Mann W. Intratympanic dexamethasone with hyaluronic acid in the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss after failure of intravenous steroid and vasoactive therapy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2005 Feb. 262(2):131-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

23. Battaglia A, Lualhati A, Lin H, et al. A prospective, multi-centered study of the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss with combination therapy versus high-dose prednisone alone: a 139 patient follow-up. Otol Neurotol. 2014 Jul. 35(6):1091-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

24. Tsounis M, Psillas G, Tsalighopoulos M, Vital V, Maroudias N, Markou K. Systemic, intratympanic and combined administration of steroids for sudden hearing loss. A prospective randomized multicenter trial. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2018 Jan. 275 (1):103-10. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

25. Franz L, Gallo C, Marioni G, de Filippis C, Lovato A. Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021 Aug. 165 (2):244-54. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

26. Lamm K, Lamm H, Arnold W. Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in comparison to conventional or placebo therapy or no treatment in idiopathic sudden hearing loss, acoustic trauma, noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus. A literature survey. Adv Otorhinolaryngol. 1998. 54:86-99. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

27. Narozny W, Sicko Z, Przewozny T, Stankiewicz C, Kot J, Kuczkowski J. Usefulness of high doses of glucocorticoids and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss treatment. Otol Neurotol. 2004 Nov. 25(6):916-23. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

28. Bennett MH, Kertesz T, Yeung P. Hyperbaric oxygen for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Jan 25. CD004739. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

29. [Guideline] Chandrasekhar SS, Tsai Do BS, Schwartz SR, Bontempo LJ, Faucett EA, Finestone SA, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Sudden Hearing Loss (Update). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Aug. 161 (1_suppl):S1-S45. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

30. [Guideline] Alford RL, Arnos KS, Fox M, et al. American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guideline for the clinical evaluation and etiologic diagnosis of hearing loss. Genet Med. 2014 Apr. 16 (4):347-55. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

31. Cinamon U, Bendet E, Kronenberg J. Steroids, carbogen or placebo for sudden hearing loss: a prospective double-blind study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2001 Nov. 258(9):477-80. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

32. Rauch SD, Halpin CF, Antonelli PJ, et al. Oral vs intratympanic corticosteroid therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a randomized trial. JAMA. 2011 May 25. 305(20):2071-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

33. Lin HC, Wang CH, Chou YC, et al. The correlation between lipoprotein ratios and hearing outcome in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients. Clin Otolaryngol. 2015 Jan 31. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

34. Lee JW, Park YA, Park SM, et al. Clinical Features and Prognosis of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Secondary to Intralabyrinthine Hemorrhage. J Audiol Otol. 2016 Apr. 20 (1):31-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

35. Kang WS, Yang CJ, Shim M, et al. Prognostic Factors for Recovery from Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Retrospective Study. J Audiol Otol. 2017 Apr. 21 (1):9-15. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

36. Fetterman BL, Saunders JE, Luxford WM. Prognosis and treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Am J Otol. 1996 Jul. 17(4):529-36. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

37. Redleaf MI, Bauer CA, Gantz BJ, Hoffman HT, McCabe BF. Diatrizoate and dextran treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Am J Otol. 1995 May. 16(3):295-303. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

38. Wilson WR. The relationship of the herpesvirus family to sudden hearing loss: a prospective clinical study and literature review. Laryngoscope. 1986 Aug. 96(8):870-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

39. Wilkins SA Jr, Mattox DE, Lyles A. Evaluation of a "shotgun" regimen for sudden hearing loss. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1987 Nov. 97(5):474-80. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

40. Harkonen K, Kivekas I, Rautiainen M, Kotti V, Vasama JP. Quality of Life and Hearing Eight Years After Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Laryngoscope. 2017 Apr. 127 (4):927-31. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Neeraj N Mathur, MBBS, MS, DNB, MAMS, FAMS Professor and Head, Department of ENT, Amrita Hospital and Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, India

Neeraj N Mathur, MBBS, MS, DNB, MAMS, FAMS is a member of the following medical societies: Association of Otolaryngologists of India, Cochlear Implant Group of India, Indian Medical Association, National Academy of Medical Sciences (India), Neuro-Otological and Equilibriometric Society of India, Royal Society of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michele M Carr, DDS, MD, PhD, MEd Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo

Michele M Carr, DDS, MD, PhD, MEd is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Peter S Roland, MD Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery, Professor and Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Director, Clinical Center for Auditory, Vestibular, and Facial Nerve Disorders, Chief of Pediatric Otology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Chief of Pediatric Otology, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas; President of Medical Staff, Parkland Memorial Hospital; Adjunct Professor of Communicative Disorders, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Chief of Medical Service, Callier Center for Communicative Disorders, University of Texas School of Human Development

Peter S Roland, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Auditory Society, American Neurotology Society, American Otological Society, North American Skull Base Society, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, The Triological Society

Disclosure: Received honoraria from Alcon Labs for consulting; Received honoraria from Advanced Bionics for board membership; Received honoraria from Cochlear Corp for board membership; Received travel grants from Med El Corp for consulting.

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA Emeritus Professor of Otolaryngology, Dentistry, and Engineering, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Head and Neck Society

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Cerescan; Neosoma; MI10;<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Neosoma; Cyberionix (CYBX)<br/>Received ownership interest from Cerescan for consulting for: Neosoma, MI10 advisor.

Cliff A Megerian, MD, FACS Medical Director of Adult and Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program, Director of Otology and Neurotology, University Hospitals of Cleveland; Chairman of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Neurological Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Cliff A Megerian, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Neurotology Society, American Otological Society, Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Medical Society, Society for Neuroscience, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, Triological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

• Print this section
• Print the entire contents of
• Print the entire contents of article