Cited by 152Vestibular and auditory disordersHearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, GeneticsHearing Loss and Rehabilitation

International consensus (ICON) on treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss

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Marx, M., Younes, E., Chandrasekhar, S.S., Ito, J., Plontke, S., O’Leary, S., Sterkers, O.·2018·European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases

Abstract

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common and alarming symptom that often prompts an urgent visit to an ENT specialist. Treatment of SSNHL remains one of the most problematic issues for contemporary otorhinolaryngology: although many meta-analyses and national guidelines have been issued, management is not standardized in terms of medical treatment, and duration and route of administration. We present several methodological suggestions for the study of treatments for SSNHL. These were developed from the existing level of evidence of the main treatments used in SSNHL by experts who convened at the IFOS 2017 ENT World Congress in Paris, France. All panelists agreed that one of the main limitations present in studies on SSNHL is related to the wide heterogeneity, which characterizes both the initial hearing deficit and the amount of hearing recovery. Although evidence of the efficacy of systemic steroids cannot be considered as strong enough to recommend their use, it is still the most widespread primary therapy and can be considered as the current standard of care. Therefore, systemic steroids stand as an adequate control for any innovative treatment. To reduce the number of subjects we suggest that the inclusion criteria should be restricted to moderate to profound levels of hearing loss. The efficacy of trans-tympanic steroids as a salvage therapy was suggested in several reports on small populations and needs to be confirmed with larger randomized controlled trials.

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Authors
Marx, M., Younes, E., Chandrasekhar, S. S., Ito, J., Plontke, S., O’Leary, S., & Sterkers, O.
Affiliations
  • Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (FR)
  • Kyoto University (JP)
  • University Hospital in Halle (DE)
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • Inserm (FR)
Corresponding author
Marx, M.
Venue
European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-02
Volume
135
Issue
1
Pages
S23-S28
ISSN
1879-7296 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2791925098
Cited by
152
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3
FWCI
4.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Diseases (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Vestibular and auditory disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation
Keywords
sudden sensorineural hearing loss, treatment guidelines, systemic corticosteroids, hearing recovery, study design recommendations, inclusion criteria, hearing loss severity, randomized controlled trials
MeSH terms
Hearing Loss, Sudden, Hearing Loss, Sensorineural, Humans, Internationality

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