Prognosis of Vestibular Dysfunction in Patients With Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Prognosis of Vestibular Dysfunction in Patients With Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) refers to idiopathic sensorineural
 hearing loss of at least 30 dB over at least three test frequencies occurring over a 72-hour
 period. Vertigo has been considered a risk factor of poor prognosis in patients with ISSNHL.
 However, the clinical outcome and development of vestibular function in these patients have
 not been reported yet. We'd like to conduct a study on the problem whether these patients
 resulted in a complete recovery of the peripheral vestibular functions or compensation of the
 central vestibular system. If the answer is the former one, these cases might be supportive
 evidence of regeneration of hair cells in vestibular disorders.
This study is designed as a prospective cohort study with only one cohort. Enrolment and data
 collection are performed by trained research staff who are not involved in the care of the
 patients. The primary measurement is the vestibular function tests including SOT, the caloric
 reflex test, vHIT, VEMP (cVEMP and oVEMP). The secondary measurements included PTA, DHI, and
 VAS. The sample size was set at 60 patients. The continuous variables were expressed as means
 ± standard deviation (SD) whereas categorical variables were expressed as frequency and
 percentage for data description. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Younger than 70 years old.

 -  Diagnosed as ISSNHL.

 -  Present with vertigo.

 -  At least 1 abnormal result in vestibular function tests(SOT, vHIT, caloric reflex
 test, and VEMP).

 -  The onset of the disease was within 30 days.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Unwilling to sign informed consent.

 -  The cause of sudden hearing loss has been identified, such as trauma, vasogenic
 disease, et al.

 -  Bilateral hearing loss.

 -  Patients with coexisting vestibular disorders, including Meniere disease, vestibular
 neuritis, labyrinthitis, and peripheral vestibular loss et al.

 -  Patients not suitable to receiving vestibular function tests, such as those with
 severe cervical spine disease, cardiovascular disease, or pregnancy et al.

 -  Cognitive impairment;

 -  Other conditions that the investigator evaluated the patients as not appropriate for
 this study.