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Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss (USNHL) can present with varying symptoms apart from hearing loss, such as dizziness and tinnitus. Impaired sound localization, inability to identify speech in noise and decreased temporal summation can significantly impair the daily activities of an individual. This along with dizziness and tinnitus affects the physical, mental and social health as well. The purpose of this study is to assess and correlate the spectrum of handicap faced by USNHL patients. Validated questionnaires were used to evaluate handicap in 42 USNHL patients due to hearing loss (Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults–HHIA), dizziness (Dizziness Handicap Inventory–DHI) and tinnitus (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory–THI). These handicaps were then correlated with each other using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Statistically significant strong positive correlation of HHIA was seen with DHI (rho = 0.60, p ≤ 0.001) and THI (rho = 0.74, p ≤ 0.001). Similarly, strong positive correlation was seen between emotional subscales of HHIA and DHI (rho = 0.73, p ≤ 0.001). USNHL can lead to significant emotional and social handicap which is compounded in the presence of hearing loss, dizziness and tinnitus. These handicaps are strongly correlated to one another. Hence, a holistic approach is needed for USNHL rehabilitation. There exists a need to develop a comprehensive measure to assess and grade the handicap faced by these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Majority of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss are idiopathic. Hence, outcome depends on factors which are associated with nature of disease and its treatment. These can be sudden or progressive. Various studies are done to evaluate the association in sudden variety, however causality still lacks evidence. There are limited studies regarding progressive variety and its outcome. A prospective study of 40 patients with idiopathic unilateral SNHL was carried out which attempts at identifying factors associated with either disease severity or its prognosis. A significant association was seen between distribution of random blood sugar and post treatment improvement in patients with sudden USNHL (p = 0.045). No significant association was seen with other blood parameters to treatment outcome in sudden SNHL, and severity of progressive SNHL to any blood parameters. Elevated blood sugar may affect a negative effect on treatment outcome in unilateral ISSNHL. There is scarcity of evidence in scientific literature related to "Unilateral Idiopathic Progressive Sensorineural Hearing Loss" for any association/correlation with nature of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective study was carried out to know the incidence of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USNHL) (type and degree). (1) To know the incidence of USNHL (other ear being normal) in patients undergoing Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) for hearing loss (HL). (2) To establish the type and degree of USNHL in patients. Study was conducted over a period of more than 4 years to find out the incidence and pattern of USNHL (other ear being normal) in the patients attending ear, nose, and throat outpatient department (OPD) with a complaint of HL. Pure tone audiometry data of 10,000 cases between August 2014 and December 2018 with HL were analyzed for this study. Demographic characteristics were compared with types and degrees of unilateral sensorineural hearing impairment. A total of 10,000 OPD cases who had a complaint of HL and had undergone pure tone audigram (PTA) in a period of more than 4 years in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery were studied. SNHL type was the highest with 3935 cases (39.3%). Out of 3935 cases of SNHL, 1436 (36.50%) were USNHL—out of which, only 872 cases (60.72%) had USNHL with other ear being normal; this constituted the study group, i.e., 872 cases (8.72%) out of 10,000 PTA and 872/3935 (22.16%) of SNHL cases. Hence, incidence of USNHL (with other ear being normal) is 8.72% among all cases of HL and 22.16% among cases of SNHL. Age of cases ranged from 8 to 76 years (mean age - 39.5 years). Male:Female ratio was 1.6:1.0. Both ears were almost equally involved. 35.6% cases had profound (> 90 dB) hearing loss, followed by mild (25–40 dB) in 32.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]