Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Current Evidence of Etiology, Management, and Prognosis

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an otologic emergency because if not recognized and promptly treated, it can result in permanent hearing loss, tinnitus, and reduced quality of life. Although 70% of SSNHL cases are idiopathic, it is potentially linked to vascular impairment, especially migraines. Currently, there is a standard guideline from the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) for SSNHL. However, the effectiveness of treatment is still uncertain. Moreover, there are still knowledge gaps in many aspects of SSNHL, such as the lack of a standardized measurement for hearing improvement and the lack of a definite timeline for salvage therapy. In this review, the current evidence of etiology, management, and prognostic factors of SSNHL is elaborated.