Abstract
Objectives: This study was designed to observe the clinical and audiologic characteristics of patients diagnosed as low tone hearing loss (LHL) and to evaluate the treatment response and prognosis. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective chart review of 61 patients who were diagnosedwith LHL was performed. Result of various audiologic studies and therapeutic responsesof medication have been evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed with variables such as age, sex, interval between onset and treatment, initial hearing levels, findings of electrocochleargraphy,and initial concomitant symptoms according to their treatment response. Results: Frequent chief complaints of LHL were tinnitus and earfullness. Tinnitus was usually matched at lower frequencies. Treatment with low-dose steroids, diuretics, and betahistine produced a high response rate of 79.4%. Complete response occurred in 49 of the 68 ears (72.1%) and partial response occurred in five of the 68 ears (7.4%). Fourteen of the 68 ears (20.6%) were in the non-responder group. Patients treated within 7 days after the onset of symptomsall showed complete response. Statistically significant prognostic factors affecting treatmentresponse were age and intervals between onset and treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with acutely onset tinnitus or ear fullness should be carefully evaluated and promptly treated under the diagnosis of LHL.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 8-13 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Korean Journal of Audiology |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - Apr 2011 |
Keywords
- Low-tone hearing loss
- Prognosis
- Sensorineural