Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is defined as hearing loss of at least 30 dB occurring within three days over at least three contiguous frequencies. The etiology of SSNHL cannot always be precisely determined; in such cases, this condition is termed idiopathic SSNHL (ISSNHL). This unique study investigates the relationship between ISSNHL and positive family history for ISSNHL. 

MATERIALS and METHODS: In total, 125 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL were retrospectively reviewed. The presence of ISSNHL in the family medical history and degree of kinship of family members diagnosed with ISSNHL were determined. For univariate analysis, a chi-squared test and/or Fisher’s exact test was used for between-group comparisons of qualitative variables; a t-test was used for quantitative variables. Significant variables in the univariate analysis were introduced into stepwise logistic regression for multivariate analysis. p<0.05 indicated statistical significance.

RESULTS: Fifty-nine (47.2%) patients were male and 66 (52.8%) were female. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between sex and development of ISSNHL (p=0.04). Forty-two (33.6%) patients had a family medical history of ISSNHL, whereas 83 (66.4%) did not. A statistically significant association between the development of ISSNHL and a family history of ISSNHL was observed (p<0.05)

CONCLUSION: Our study supports an association between ISSNHL and genetic predisposition. Proving genetic susceptibility to ISSNHL will lead to improvements in the prediction, early diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.