The prognostic value of speech recognition scores at diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma

Abstract

We aimed to assess whether speech recognition scores (SRS) are predictive of outcomes in patients with small vestibular schwannoma (VS) undergoing observation. Ninety-five patients with VS whose initial management was observation with serial imaging were retrospectively analysed. Patients were divided into groups according to their average hearing level and SRS at diagnosis. About 60% of patients had good initial SRS (GIS) and 40% had poor initial SRS (PIS). Mean follow-up was 44 months, during which time data were collected regarding hearing level, tumour growth and the eventual management option (continued or failed observation). Observation was discontinued by 24% (23/95) of patients. GIS..