Wittig et al. BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders 2014, 14:6 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6815/14/6
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Open Access
Prognostic impact of standard laboratory values on outcome in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss Julia Wittig1, Claus Wittekindt1,2, Michael Kiehntopf3 and Orlando Guntinas-Lichius1*
Abstract Background: Aim of the present study was to evaluate prognostic factors, in particular standard laboratory parameters, for better outcome after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Methods: Using a retrospective review, 173 patients were included presenting between 2006 and 2009 with unilateral SSNHL, ≥30 dB bone conduction in three succeeding frequencies between 0.125 to 8 kHz in pure tone audiometry (PTA), and a time interval between first symptoms and diagnostics ≤ 4 weeks. Hearing gain of
