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Audiometric Evaluation: Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

 In Arizona Ear Center, Ear Health, FAQ, Hearing Evaluation, Hearing Loss, Sensorineural Hearing Loss, Sudden Hearing Loss, Types of Hearing Loss


How do you test for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

If a patient has a sudden hearing loss, an audiometric evaluation needs to be performed to confirm that there is a 30 dB loss at three consecutive frequencies.

Additionally, a patient should undergo a medical evaluation to ensure based on history and physical examination, there is no other cause.

The audiologic evaluation enables the diagnosis to be made, and in comparison, used as a test to see if recovery is occurring in the patient after time has passed.

audiometric-evaluation
Audiometric Confirmation Of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (S.S.H.L.)
[mk_fancy_title tag_name=”h2″ style=”true” color=”#393836″ size=”14″ font_weight=”inhert” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”18″ font_family=”none” align=”left”]Retro-cochlear Pathology[/mk_fancy_title]

A patient who has idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss should be evaluated for retro-cochlear pathology.

Retro-cochlear pathology includes but is not limited to a vestibular schwannoma – also known as an “neurolemoma,” “neuroma,” and “Schwann cell tumor.”

Studies have demonstrated 2.7% to 10.2% of patients who have sudden hearing loss, have an acoustic neuroma when evaluated by MRI.

Another possible test is an auditory brainstem response which, can be performed by an audiologist in our offices.

If the patient has a contraindication to an MRI such as a pacemaker or other metallic implant or claustrophobia, a CAT scan can be used as the next best imaging modality.

To schedule an audiogram, or to discuss retro-cochlear pathology with our board-certified doctors of otology and audiology, please call 602.307.9919, or email receptionist@arizonaear.com for more information.

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