Clinical observation of acute low frequency sensorineural hearing loss

Objective To investigate the clinical features and curative effect of the acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss(ALHL),and to improve the diagnosis and understanding.Methods Retrospective analysis of 62 cases of the clinical manifestations of ALHL,audiological examination and treatment was carried out to sum up the clinical development pattern.Results The age of onset in young and middle-aged female dominated,significantly more than men,mostly single ear morbidity,symptoms of aural fullness or/with tinnitus,hearing loss,not all patients with vertigo,pure tone audiometry showed mild to moderate low frequency sensorineural hearing loss(38.71±6.82) dB and(20.56±9.44) dB before and after treatment respectively.The difference was statistically significant(P0.05).Tympanogram was A type in 49 cases(80.9%) the stapedius reflex elicitated in 40 cases(64.5%).Metz test was positive,ABR were normal in 62 ears.DPOAE before treatment in 62 cases was 0.5~1 kHz and its extraction rate was 18.7% only,the response amplitude was significantly reduced;after treatment,DPOAE at 0.5~1 kHz extraction rate increased by 43.8%,amplitude is increased.Conclusion Sudden ear fullness with/without tinnitus is the main feature in ALHL,often a single ear morbidity most in young and middle-aged females,audiological diagnosis as cochlear deafness which involves the low frequency region only,and has a good effect with corticosteroids.