Emergency Department Sudden Deafness: Clinical Features and Predictors of Advanced Imaging

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an otologic emergency that requires immediate evaluation and treatment. Recognizing presentation patterns and the use of imaging in emergency settings can improve diagnostic efficiency. OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic characteristics, clinical features, comorbidities, and factors predicting advanced imaging in patients presenting to the emergency department with...

Audiologists and ED clinicians should note which clinical features predict the need for advanced imaging in sudden sensorineural hearing loss, potentially informing triage protocols — though direct practice change awaits review of the full study data and sample size.

Identifying reliable predictors for advanced imaging in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) could reduce unnecessary MRI use while ensuring serious underlying causes are not missed.

1. 01Study examines SSNHL (sudden unexplained one-sided hearing loss) presenting to emergency departments.
2. 02Key aim is identifying clinical predictors for when advanced imaging (e.g., MRI) is warranted.
3. 03Published in Journal of Craniofacial Surgery (PMID 42090229).
4. 04Findings could inform ED triage and referral pathways for audiologists and ENT physicians.
5. 05Study design and sample size not fully detailed in the summary; limits immediate practice change.

PMID

42090229

DOI

10.1097/SCS.0000000000012851.

Journal

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Patients presenting to emergency departments with sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Intervention

Clinical assessment of SSNHL features in the ED