Role of Blood Investigations in Idiopathic Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022 Dec;74(Suppl 3):3682-3686. doi: 10.1007/s12070-021-02413-2. Epub 2021 Feb 6.

Abstract

Majority of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss are idiopathic. Hence, outcome depends on factors which are associated with nature of disease and its treatment. These can be sudden or progressive. Various studies are done to evaluate the association in sudden variety, however causality still lacks evidence. There are limited studies regarding progressive variety and its outcome. A prospective study of 40 patients with idiopathic unilateral SNHL was carried out which attempts at identifying factors associated with either disease severity or its prognosis. A significant association was seen between distribution of random blood sugar and post treatment improvement in patients with sudden USNHL (p = 0.045). No significant association was seen with other blood parameters to treatment outcome in sudden SNHL, and severity of progressive SNHL to any blood parameters. Elevated blood sugar may affect a negative effect on treatment outcome in unilateral ISSNHL. There is scarcity of evidence in scientific literature related to "Unilateral Idiopathic Progressive Sensorineural Hearing Loss" for any association/correlation with nature of disease.

Keywords: Prognosis; Sensorineural hearing loss; Unilateral hearing loss.