• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.156-168
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• 2002

Backgrounds : sudden sensorineural hearing loss is defined as a disease that has abrupt onset of sensorineural hearing loss without definite cause. In some cases, this disease cause tinnitus, vertigo, headache addition to hearing loss. In traditional oriental medicine, sudden sensorineural hearing loss is could be diagnosed as deficiency of Yang-Gi(陽氣). Objects & Methods : This study is clinical observation about three sudden sensorineural hearing loss cases. For diagnosing in these cases, pure tone audiometry was used. For treatment, acupuncture, herbal-medicine and moxibustion therapy were used. Results & Conclusions : as follows. 1. Generally, in this disease, the shorter the whole period from the time that occurs to the time that starts to treat is, the more the results are better. The research shows that short-term case is more efficient than the other long-term two cases in the aspects of symptoms and pure tone audiometry . 2. In making a diagnosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and measuring the effect, subjective symptoms generally correspond to the improvement of pure tone audiometry, but not completely. Therefore, in treating patients, the doctor must consider these both aspects and keep the balance.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.221-243
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• 2003

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss may be defined as a severe loss of hearing occurring within a short space of time without any obvious cause. Its etiology is not verified yet, treatment and prognosis are uncertain. Objectives: We reviewed 6 cases of patients who hospitalized in Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center Dept. of Otolaryngology. Using the criteria of Siegel and Research Team of the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan, We are to evaluate the effect of Herb medication, Acupuncture therapy, and Negative therapy. We also attempted to search effective methods of therapy of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Methods: We treated them with Oyaksunki-san(烏藥順氣散) for softening qi-stagnation and supressing 'Wind'(順氣治風), Chungsimjihwang-tang(淸心地黃湯) for strengthening 'Heart' and 'Kidney'(補心益腎), Boikyangwi-tang(補益養胃湯) for strengthening 'Wi-qi' and 'Stomach'(補衛(胃)氣). We also used acupuncture therapy and negative therapy based on the textbook of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Results: One patient recovered completely after 5 days therapy, two patient markedly, another two patient slightly and one patient had no improvement. Conclusions: To treat sudden hearing loss, we can use Oyaksunki-san(烏藥順氣散) in the early stage of the disease. We can treat with Chungsimjihwang-tang(淸心地黃湯) and Boikyangwi-tang(補益養胃湯) in the late period of the disease, and administer Jaeumgenby-tang(滋蔭健脾湯) for suppressing tinnitus. If there is evidence of viral infection and the patient have too severe hearing loss, We can also use steroid in combination with Herb medication in the early stage of the disease. The Western medicine demonstrated that the start time of treatment had influence on recovery. If we started Oriental medical treatment within a week from the onset of sudden deafness. we will obtain the desired results. As the Western medical treatment does, Oriental medical therapy may have no effect after one month from onset of the disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.11
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• pp.434-439
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• 2015

Purpose: Kawasaki disease involves acute febrile systemic vasculitis that can cause a variety of symptoms by affecting various organs. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence, causes, and prognosis of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) occurring in children with Kawasaki disease. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with Kawasaki disease and received inpatient treatment in the Pediatrics Department at one of three university hospitals in Daegu city from February 2012 to September 2012 were enrolled in the study. The clinical features, hematological results, echocardiography results, audiometry results, and aspirin and salicylic acid serum levels of the patients were evaluated. Results: Of the 59 children enrolled in the study, three showed mild bilateral SNHL on audiometry tests conducted after 48 hours of defervescence; these patients demonstrated normal patterns of recovery on follow-up tests 8 weeks later. Aspirin serum levels were significantly higher in the SNHL group after 48 hours of afebrile condition with high dose aspirin intake (P=0.034). However, no significant differences were found in other laboratory tests or for fever duration (P>0.05). Upon echocardiography, coronary artery abnormality was observed in 9 cases, but none of these patients showed hearing loss. Conclusion: The results indicate that SNHL in children with Kawasaki disease might occur during treatment of the acute phase; this SNHL usually involves mild bilateral hearing loss and recovers naturally. However, this study suggests that determination of the causes and clinical implications of hearing loss in Kawasaki disease requires long-term follow-up studies with more cases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.289-299
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• 2010

Back ground & Objectives : Bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL) is very rare disease. This is the first case report in the oriental medical literature. This study describes a case of bilateral SSNHL with incomplete recovery. Methods : We treated 1 patient who had SSNHL sequentially in both ears. He received oriental and western medical treatments for more than 2 weeks and measured the hearing recovery. For diagnosis on this case, pure tone audiometry was used. The degree of improvement was evaluated by Siegel's Criteria. Results & Conclusions : This patient discharged without hearing improvement. For bilateral SSNHL patients, the result of treatment is important for their qualities of life. But the recovery rate of hearing in bilateral SSNHL is lower than unilateral SSNHL. The oriental medical therapy had some theraputic effects on SSNHL and the theraputic effects on bilateral SSNHL requires further study.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2021

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common disorder; however, sequential, bilateral presentation of the disease is rarer than unilateral presentation. Clinical otologists usually focus on treating the side with impaired hearing when patients first present with unilateral SSNHL, and therefore, may not warn patients of the possibility of subsequent hearing impairment in the contralateral ear. Furthermore, it is professionally discouraging when a patient presents with profound, sequential SSNHL after initial treatment. This may adversely impact the doctor-patient relationship, even if the patient is offered the best possible care from their first visit. Herein, we report the case of a patient with profound, idiopathic, bilateral SSNHL with a time interval of 37 days between involvement of both ears. Even though high-dose steroids were administered intraorally and intratympanically, the patient's hearing was not restored, and the patient eventually required bilateral cochlear implant surgery. Our report demonstrates that sequential, profound, bilateral SSNHL may manifest without any specific signs.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2021

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common disorder; however, sequential, bilateral presentation of the disease is rarer than unilateral presentation. Clinical otologists usually focus on treating the side with impaired hearing when patients first present with unilateral SSNHL, and therefore, may not warn patients of the possibility of subsequent hearing impairment in the contralateral ear. Furthermore, it is professionally discouraging when a patient presents with profound, sequential SSNHL after initial treatment. This may adversely impact the doctor-patient relationship, even if the patient is offered the best possible care from their first visit. Herein, we report the case of a patient with profound, idiopathic, bilateral SSNHL with a time interval of 37 days between involvement of both ears. Even though high-dose steroids were administered intraorally and intratympanically, the patient's hearing was not restored, and the patient eventually required bilateral cochlear implant surgery. Our report demonstrates that sequential, profound, bilateral SSNHL may manifest without any specific signs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.155-159
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• 2009

Sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss is a disease that develops within several hours to several days. Its etiology has not yet been verified, but the disturbance of the circulation of blood in the inner ear, inner-ear hydrops, and viral infection are considered possible causes of the disease. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Panax ginseng extract, which is known to have a vasodilatory effect, on sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Sixty-nine patients suffering from sudden sensorineural hearing loss were admitted to Korea University Anam Hospital from March to December 2008. They were divided into the experimental (30 ears) and control (39 ears) groups. Ginseng extract (2700 mg/day, 4 weeks) was added to the therapeutic regimen in the experimental group. The effect of ginseng extract therapy was analyzed according to the factors relating to the prognosis. A considerable hearing improvement was documented in both groups (32.2 dB in the experimental group and 25.8 dB in the control group). However, there was little beneficial effect of ginseng extract on additional hearing improvement compared with control. The total recovery rate of the experimental group (80.0%) was better than that of the control group (58.9%), and the experimental group's high-tone hearing gain at 3 kHz (29.7 dB) was better than that of the control group (21.7 dB). The results of the study suggest that the effects of ginseng therapy tend to be superior to those of the conventional therapy, but the difference between the two is not statistically significant. The hearing gains tend to be in the higher frequencies and may be due to the promotion of cellular differentiation from the supporting cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.113-116
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• 1997

Sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL) is defined as a sudden hearing impairment which was develope over a period of hours to days. The definitive cause of SNHL is unknown in most cases. Disturbance of the blood flow of the inner ear is a main causal hypotheses. Most symptomatic treatment is focusing to improving the blood flow of the inner ear. At our hospital, most patients are recommended to bed rest, vasodilators(nicotinic acid, antihistamines) and stellate ganglion block(SGB) for two weeks. We experienced two cases of recurrence immediately after recovery from SNHL. They discontinued SGB after initial recovery. due to associated pain with operation and or psychologic stress. One patient resumed SGB and medication treatment, but the second who gave up treatment was not recovered. Therefore, we recommend to continuance of treatment of stellate ganglion blocks to improve recovery rate of SNHL and avoid further trauma and psychologic stress during the recovery period of SNHL.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 1998

Background: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss(ISSHL) has been generally defined as an abrupt loss of auditory acuity without precipitating factors. Since ISSHL was first described as a disease entity, numerous reports assessing a variety of treatment regimens have been published. But its etiology, pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis are controversial at the present time. Stellate ganglion block(SGB) has been used for the treatment of ISSHL by vasodilatation and increased blood flow to the inner ear. Methods: We reviewed the records of 152 patients to investigate the efficacy of SGB for ISSHL. The control group was managed with medications such as hypaque, heparin, steroid, nicotinic acid, and vitamins. The SGB group was managed with SGB and the same medications. SGB was performed with 8 ml of 1.0% mepivacaine. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated by pure-tone average following therapy. The recovery of hearing was defined as Siegel's criteria I, II, or III. Results: The recovery rate of the SGB group was higher than that of the control group(61.5 vs. 42.9%, p<0.05). The recovery rate was higher in patients who were treated early, within 7 days from the onset of symptoms, especially in the SGB group(79.7%). And in the case that initial hearing loss was severe (>70dB), the SGB group had a higher recovery rate(64.2%) than the control group(42.5%). Conclusions: SGB is thought to be a useful therapy for ISSHL, especially in the patients who were treated soon after onset or whose initial hearing loss was severe.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 1998

Objectives: It is expected that the combined cisplatin and radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma produces more sensory neural hearing losses compared to radiation therapy alone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of sensory neural hearing losses after concurrent cisplatin and radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: From Jun. 1994 to Mar. 1997, 10 patients were available for this study with the following eligibility criteria: 1) The patients received concurrent cisplatin and radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 2) There was no pre-existing auditory disease except serous otitis media due to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 3) They had normal sensorineural hearing function on the pretreatment pure tone audiogram. 4) Pure tone audiograms were performed at least one time after treatment between 6months to 1 year follow-up without local recurrence. Results: At 1 year follow-up, 3 patients complained of decreased hearing capacity. Sensorineural hearing losses were developed in 15 ears out of 20(75%) and were more frequent and severe in high frequency area on pure tone audiogram. Conclusion: The concurrent cisplatin and radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma may produce sensorineural hearing losses more frequently compared to historical data of radiation therapy alone and close evaluations with regular audiograms are necessary even in patients without symptoms and signs of hearing impairment.