Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL), or sudden deafness, is an unexplained rapid loss of hearing that typically occurs in one ear over a 72-hour period. It is often accompanied by tinnitus and/or vertigo or disequilibrium, that frequently results in permanent hearing impairment. SSNHL affects between 5 and 27 individuals per 100,000 every year. While it can happen to anyone, SSNHL most commonly affects adults between the ages of 40 and 60 years old.

Common causes:
  • Viral or bacterial infection
  • Loss of blood flow (ischemia) to the inner ear
  • A ruptured membrane in the inner ear
  • Stroke
  • Autoimmune disease
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Acoustic Neuroma
Current treatment:
  • Corticosteroids

Advancements in the science behind SSNHL have been limited over the past several decades. Thus, with this new initiative at The House Institute Foundation, we hope to improve our understanding of the etiologies, diagnostic capabilities, and treatments for SSNHL.

A Patient’s Perspective:

Summary of Research Priorities:

At the in-person SSNHL HSA workshop, research objectives from the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment subcommittees were presented to a large group of experts. A vote was held amongst the group to identify the highest priority research objectives. The 8 research questions with the most votes were selected as top research priorities.

Question 1. Do steroids really work? Are steroids effective therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

Question 2. Can acute MRI predict response to treatment?

Question 3. How can we use functional and imaging studies to identify the site of lesion, better predict prognosis or treatment protocol?

Question 4. Can a biobank and patient registry be developed in order to determine the etiology of SSNHL?

Question 5. Can perilymph obtained during cochlear implantation or during the acute presentation aid in diagnosis and/or treatment of SSNHL? 

Question 6. Can we standardize outcome measures in SSHL? 

Question 7. How can we use existing temporal bone specimens to better understand the etiology of SSNHL?

Question 8. Does the timing of treatment matter?

SSNHL Progress:

  • HSA for SSNHL initiated in October 2022
  • In-person HSA workshop held on April 21-23, 2023 in Washington D.C.
  • William Slattery, MD presented research priorities at Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (CSOM) conference in Chicago of May 2024
  • White paper published in Otology & Neurotology journal in October 2024 (link to paper can be found below)
  • Workgroups to address the top research priorities have started to meet and collaborate on projects
  • Update meeting with past SSNHL experts/participants will be arranged

Get Involved:

For questions or ways to get involved, please contact:

Shemms Najjar
Hearing Science Accelerator Coordinator
hsacoordinator@hifla.org
213-394-7969

Stay Updated On Our Research Efforts

Literature Updates:

  • Slattery, W. H., 3rd, Andalibi, A., Angeli, S., Babu, S., Bolt, K., Britt, W., Buckey, J. C., Jr, Butman, J., Chandrasekhar, S., Fernandez, K., Haynes, D., Hertzano, R., Hirose, K., Hoa, M., Hodge, S., Howard, M., Lalwani, A., Liotta, L., Luchini, A., de Oliveira Penido, N., … Andresen, N. (2024). Hearing Science Accelerator: Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss-Executive Summary of Research Initiatives. Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology, 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004341. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000004341 
  • Plontke, S. K., Girndt, M., Meisner, C., Fischer, I., Böselt, I., Löhler, J., Ludwig-Kraus, B., Richter, M., Steighardt, J., Reuter, B., Böttcher, C., Langer, J., Pethe, W., Seiwerth, I., Jovanovic, N., Großmann, W., Kienle-Gogolok, A., Boehm, A., Neudert, M., Diensthuber, M., … HODOKORT Trial Investigators (2024). High-Dose Glucocorticoids for the Treatment of Sudden Hearing Loss. NEJM evidence, 3(1), EVIDoa2300172. https://doi.org/10.1056/EVIDoa2300172
  • Nelson L, Swanson D, Borowiec E,…Hoa M, et al. The Impact of Intratympanic Steroid Dosage on Hearing Recovery in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 2023;132(8):879-887. doi:10.1177/00034894221120125
  • Ying, Y. M., Tseng, C. C., Shin, J., & Rauch, S. (2024). Natural History of Untreated Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. The Laryngoscope, 134 Suppl 9, S1–S15. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.31474
  • Tomaz A, Peron KA, Suzuki FAB, Monteiro SRG, Chandrasekhar SS, Penido NO. Standard and Extend High-Frequency Audiometry in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Impacts on Tinnitus and Mental Health. Otol Neurotol. 2024 Jun 1;45(5):e366-e375. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004168 Epub 2024 Mar 21. PMID: 38511269. 
  • Peron KA, Scott MCP, Soeiro TLT, do Amaral JB, Chandrasekhar SS and de Oliveira Penido N (2024) Sudden sensorineural hearing loss: audiological profile during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front. Neurol. 15:1415068. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1415068
  • Scott MCP, Hortense FTP, da Silva MD, França CN, Nali LHDS, Bachi ALL and de Oliveira Penido N (2024) The inflammatory and metabolic status of patients with sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss. Front. Neurol. 15:1382096. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1382096

Current Recruiting Interventional Studies for SSNHL:

Please select the link below to view current recruiting interventional studies for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: