Effect of Comorbid Conditions on Prognosis in Adult Patients with Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

ABSTRACTObjective: To determine the effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and primary (essential) hypertension (HT) on the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).Materials and Methods: Medical records of 160 patients treated with ISSNHL at our clinic between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019, were retrospectively reviewed using the hospital information system. Patients were categorized into four groups based on the presence or absence of comorbid conditions: control group, DM, HT, and both DM and HT. Prognosis was evaluated using Siegel’s criteria.Results: According to Siegel’s criteria, there was no statistically significant difference in recovery rates or hearing gains between the control group and the comorbidity groups. However, both the initial and final hearing threshold levels were significantly higher in patients with comorbidities compared to the control group.Conclusion: Hearing gains and recovery rates following treatment were comparable between patients with comorbidities (DM and/or HT) and those without. However, both the initial and final hearing thresholds were significantly elevated in the comorbidity groups.Keywords: Essential hypertension, Sudden hearing loss, Type 2 diabetes mellitus