What is the recommended treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss that is likely idiopathic?

What is the recommended treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss that is likely idiopathic?

• A. Oral Prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day with a maximum of 60 mg daily for 10-14 days
• B. Topical antibiotics for 7 days
• C. Intravenous antibiotics for 10 days
• D. No treatment is effective

Answer: (A)

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is treated as an inflammatory/ischemic inner ear event. Corticosteroids help by reducing inflammation and edema in the cochlea, which can restore or preserve hair cell function and improve blood flow within the inner ear. Starting systemic steroids promptly within a couple of weeks of onset offers the best chance of recovery. The recommended approach is oral prednisone or prednisolone given at about 1 mg/kg per day (maximum 60 mg daily) for roughly 10–14 days, often followed by a taper. This regimen targets the inflammatory process driving the sudden loss and has the strongest evidence supporting better hearing outcomes when begun early. Antibiotics are not indicated for idiopathic SSNHL because the condition is not caused by a bacterial infection, and no treatment is preferred when there’s no infectious process. Intravenous or topical antibiotics don’t address the underlying issue either and aren’t part of the standard management.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is treated as an inflammatory/ischemic inner ear event. Corticosteroids help by reducing inflammation and edema in the cochlea, which can restore or preserve hair cell function and improve blood flow within the inner ear. Starting systemic steroids promptly within a couple of weeks of onset offers the best chance of recovery.

The recommended approach is oral prednisone or prednisolone given at about 1 mg/kg per day (maximum 60 mg daily) for roughly 10–14 days, often followed by a taper. This regimen targets the inflammatory process driving the sudden loss and has the strongest evidence supporting better hearing outcomes when begun early.

Antibiotics are not indicated for idiopathic SSNHL because the condition is not caused by a bacterial infection, and no treatment is preferred when there’s no infectious process. Intravenous or topical antibiotics don’t address the underlying issue either and aren’t part of the standard management.