• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.182-192
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report 20 patients who have been diagnosed with sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL) in the Korean medical hospital for last 3 years. Methods : 20 patients who have been hospitalized with a SSNHL in Korean medical hospital from June 2014 to June 2017 were analyzed by reviewing the patients' charts. Results : In the study group, Pure tone audiometry was performed in 17 patients. 3 of them showed 'Marked improvement' in pure tone audiometry. And 6 of them showed 'Slight Improvement.' On the other hand, 9 of them showed 'No response' or even got worse. However, the symptoms accompanied with hearing loss like tinnitus, aural fullness, vertigo improved most of patients. Conclusions : This study shows that the Korean medical treatment is effective in the SSNHL.

• 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 Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.131-141
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate recent clinical studies on the effect of acupuncture on hearing loss. Methods : Based on the PubMed search with the key search terms of 'hearing loss, acupuncture', dated from 2004 to 2017, 1 controlled trials, 3 case reports and 3 case series was found, and were analyzed for this study. Results : 1. The most commonly used acupoints were Shuaigu(GB8) and Fengchi(GB20). 2. The most commonly used meridians were the du channel, the gall bladder meridian of foot-shaoyang, and the triple bunner meridian of hand shaoyang. 3. Acupuncture treatment was effective for conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, especially sudden sensory neural hearing loss. 4. More clinical studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of the acupuncture on hearing loss. To be more objective on the study results, we can measure auditory brainstem response for hearing loss after acupuncture treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.82-94
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of east-west medical combined treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL) through cooperation in a hospital. Methods : We treated three patients diagnosed as SSNHL by combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmoacupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, laser therapy and conventional medications. We evaluated the results of this treatment with pure tone audiometry, word recognition score(WRS), the changes in distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAE) and visual analogue scale. Results : One of them showed a meaningful improvement in the hearing level of the low frequency region. The others showed 'Complete recovery' in pure tone audiometry and WRS. The subjective symptoms including tinnitus and ear fullness improved in three patients. Conclusion : This study suggests that east-west medical combined treatment is effective on SSNHL patients.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.198-203
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• 2020

Background and Objectives: We sought to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of measurable parameters of internal auditory canal (IAC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patients with ISSNHL who underwent IAC MRI from January 2008 to March 2019. Measurable parameters of IAC MRI, such as the diameter of the IAC, bony cochlear nerve canal, and cross-sectional area of the cochlear nerve, were measured by a single examiner. These parameters were then compared between the affected and healthy sides. Inner-ear abnormalities such as intralabyrinthine hemorrhage or labyrinthitis were also evaluated. The relationship between the surveyed parameters and the diagnosis of ISSNHL was assessed. Results: A total of 208 patients with ISSNHL were included. The measured parameters of IAC MRI were not different between the affected and healthy sides and were also not associated with the diagnosis of ISSNHL. However, inner-ear abnormalities of IAC MRI in ISSNHL displayed a significant association with worse hearing before and after treatment. An age that was older than 40 years also correlated with poorer outcomes. Further, inner-ear abnormalities were more frequently detected when IAC MRI was performed early after ISSNHL onset. Conclusions: Patients with ISSNHL and inner ear abnormalities such as intralabyrinthine hemorrhage or labyrinthitis identified via IAC MRI may experience poorer hearing outcomes. To detect such abnormal findings, it is recommended to perform IAC MRI early after the onset of ISSNHL.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.198-203
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• 2020

Background and Objectives: We sought to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of measurable parameters of internal auditory canal (IAC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patients with ISSNHL who underwent IAC MRI from January 2008 to March 2019. Measurable parameters of IAC MRI, such as the diameter of the IAC, bony cochlear nerve canal, and cross-sectional area of the cochlear nerve, were measured by a single examiner. These parameters were then compared between the affected and healthy sides. Inner-ear abnormalities such as intralabyrinthine hemorrhage or labyrinthitis were also evaluated. The relationship between the surveyed parameters and the diagnosis of ISSNHL was assessed. Results: A total of 208 patients with ISSNHL were included. The measured parameters of IAC MRI were not different between the affected and healthy sides and were also not associated with the diagnosis of ISSNHL. However, inner-ear abnormalities of IAC MRI in ISSNHL displayed a significant association with worse hearing before and after treatment. An age that was older than 40 years also correlated with poorer outcomes. Further, inner-ear abnormalities were more frequently detected when IAC MRI was performed early after ISSNHL onset. Conclusions: Patients with ISSNHL and inner ear abnormalities such as intralabyrinthine hemorrhage or labyrinthitis identified via IAC MRI may experience poorer hearing outcomes. To detect such abnormal findings, it is recommended to perform IAC MRI early after the onset of ISSNHL.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.80-91
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• 2021

Objective : The purpose of this study is to discriminate the vestibular schwannoma misdiagnosed as Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Methods : A 46-year-old female patient who was suffering left sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL), visited after diagnosed as Idiopathic SSNHL by previous hospital. For diagnosing the vestibular schwannoma, we conducted the Puretone audiometry, auditory brainstem response threshold test and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) for temporal bone with enhancement. Result : Auditory Brainstem Response threshold test was abnormal and in enhanced MRI, the vestibular schwannoma in left side was detected. The patient was discharged from the hospital for tertiary hospital care. Conclusions : When the patient with SSNHL visits a hospital even if after diagnosed as Idiopathic SSNHL by previous hospital, a doctor should keep in mind the possibility of vestibular schwannoma.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.172-180
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• 2022

Objectives : This study reports a 61-year-old man with sudden hearing loss and tinnitus whose symptoms improved remarkably after treatment with Korean medicine. Methods : The patient was treated with herbal medicine(gamisoyo-san, samul-tang gagambang, gongjindan, and yukmijihwang-hwan), acupuncture and moxibustion. Puretone audiometry(PTA), speech audiometry(SA), Korean tinnitus handicap inventory(K-THI), patient self-report, numeric rating scale(NRS) 11, and review of system(ROS) were performed. Results : After a month of treatment, PTA was improved from profound to mild and audiometric findings were improved in speech reception threshold and word recognition score. After 2 months of treatment, K-THI decreased from 92 to 28 and NRS 11 score decreased more than 6 in every item. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that Korean medicine could be effective sudden hearing loss and tinnitus.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.206-213
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• 2003

The sudden deafness is generaly defined as sensorineural hearing loss without definite cause. The medical treatment of this disease is purposed on hemokinetic improvement and anti-inflammatory action. There are various prognoses such as perfect recovery or loss of hearing. The symptoms are easily redeveloped by fatigue or psychological stress. We treated two patients, who diagnosed as the flare of Liver fire and the flare based on insufficiency of Kidney Yin, of sudden deafness with herbal medication, acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal acupuncture. The symptoms were improved after three or four times of treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.141-153
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• 2003

Introduction : The causes of sudden sensorineural hearing loss have not been detemined with precision until recently, but viral infections and vascular insufficiencies, such as vascular spasm, occlusion of sludging of erythrocytes were considered as major factors. The treatment has not been determined with precision until recently. It is similar to dizziness(眩暈). sudden dcafncss(暴聾) and congestion-fire deafness(痰火聾) in Oriental Medicine. It is very rare that someone has sudden hearing loss and visit Oriental Medicine Clinic right that time. But we expect if they take a Oriental treatment on thc right time. more effective for their symptom. Subjects : Following conclusions were reached by measuring results of oricntal medical treatments for 40 patients who visited the clinic between January of 2000 and December of 2002, and received treatments continuously for more than 1 months of time. Methods : Among the selected 40 patients. 30 patients belong to Group Ⅰ, which consisted of patients who had already visited a general hospital prior to visiting this clinic, achieved no recovery at all from sudden deafness despite going through more than 5 days of hospitalized treatments of steroidal medications. Group Ⅱ was consisted of 10 patients of sudden deafness who did not experience any steroidal treatments from other hospital prior to the oriental medical treatment. Results and conclusion : According to differentiation of syndrome. among 30 patients of the Group Ⅰ. 21 were categorized as excess syndrome patients and remaining 9 as deficiency syndrome paticnts. Among 10 patients of For Group Ⅱ, 5 were excess syndrome patients and remaining 5 were deficiency syndrome patients. Among Group Ⅰ, recovery ratio of excess syndrome patients was 47.7$\%$ and deficiency syndrome patients was 44.4$\%$ adding up recovery ratio of the group to be 46.1$\%$. Among Group Ⅱ, recovery ratio of excess syndrome patients was 80$\%$ and deficiency syndrome patients was 100$\%$ adding up recovery ratio of the group to be 90$\%$. Oriental medical treatments are generally more effective(90$\%$ recovery ratio) for Sudden Deafness than steroidal treatments. Oriental medical treatments are almost equally effective for both excess syndrome patients and deficiency syndrome patients. However, steroidal treatments for excess syndrom patients(45$\%$ recovery ratio) is much less effective than deficiency syndrome patients(73$\%$ recovery ratio). This indicates that steroidal treatments should be applied selectively to deficiency syndrome patients if applied at all. Even for patients with sudden deafness which hospitalized steroidal treatments did not result in any recovery at all, oriental medical treatments were able to achieve 46.1$\%$ recovery ratio.