Sudden sensorineural hearing loss in adults: Evaluation and management - UpToDate

INTRODUCTION Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is characterized by an acute sensorineural hearing loss, nearly always unilateral, that occurs within a 72-hour period. Most cases are idiopathic, and the prognosis for hearing recovery depends largely upon the severity of the hearing loss. The diagnosis and management of idiopathic SSNHL in adults are discussed here. The evaluation of non-acute hearing loss, the causes of hearing loss in adults, and the evaluation and management of hearing loss in children are discussed separately. (See "Evaluation of hearing loss in adults" and "Etiology of hearing loss in adults" and "Hearing loss in children: Etiology" and "Hearing loss in children: Screening and evaluation" and "Hearing loss in children: Treatment".) EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS The exact incidence of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is uncertain, since recovery may be spontaneous, and many affected people never seek medical attention. Estimates of inciden

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