Steroids for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

BackgroundIdiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) is a clinical diagnosis characterised by a sudden deafness of cochlear or retrocochlear origin in the absence of a clear precipitating cause. Steroids are commonly prescribed to treat this condition. There is no consensus on their effectiveness.ObjectivesTo determine the effectiveness and the side-effect profile of steroids in the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.Search strategyWe searched the Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2004), MEDLINE (1966 to December 2004) and EMBASE (1974..