Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Is Not a Prognostic Factor in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

Objective. Little is known concerning the role of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) as a prognostic factor for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). The purpose of this study is to analyze the hearing recovery in patients who have SSNHL with BPPV compared with those who have SSNHL without BPPV. The study also documented the relative incidence of each semicircular canal involvement.

Study Design. Case-control study.

Setting. Academic tertiary otologic practice.

Subjects and Methods. Ninety patients diagnosed with SSNHL with vertigo were enrolled. Clinical characteristics such as gender, age, and pure tone audiogram threshold were compared between group A (SSNHL with BPPV, n = 17) and group B (SSNHL without BPPV, n = 73). The frequency of each canal involvement was compared between group A and another 111 patients with BPPV only (group C). The proportion of patients with hearing recovery was compared between patients with or without BPPV, and between those with or without canal paresis.

Results. Patients in group A did not display significant differences in the sex ratio, mean age, or initial results of pure tone audiogram threshold compared with those in group B. Most patients with SSNHL with BPPV had lateral canal canalithiasis (64.7%). The presence of BPPV had no influence on the recovery of hearing.

Conclusions. The clinical characteristics of patients with SSNHL with BPPV were not different from those with SSNHL without BPPV. The lateral canal was the most frequently involved, and the presence or absence of BPPV had no dramatic impact on the outcome of SSNHL.