Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)

Director at CHC

Dr. Hammerschlag is on the board of directors and an active provider to the nonprofit, Center for Hearing and Communication, which has been been providing hearing care since 1904.

New York Super Doctor

Multicenter Treatment Trial – Patient Information Brochure

Paul E. Hammerschlag MD, and associates at eight clinical centers around the United States are conducting a research study to compare the effectiveness of two different medications for treating patients with sudden deafness. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an ear emergency in which the hearing in one ear drops in less than 72 hours. Prompt treatment with oral steroid pills, such as prednisone, can often improve the hearing. However, few patients make a full recovery. There are some indications that delivering steroid medicine directly into the ear rather than orally might work just as well and could avoid some of the side effects of oral steroids. The two drugs we are studying, oral prednisone and injectable methylprednisolone, are both well know anti-inflammatory steroids. Taking prednisone by mouth is common treatment for many conditions. However, injecting methylprednisolone into the ear must be considered experimental. There will be approximately 30 participants at this site and approximately 240 participants nationwide.

The results of this study were just published in the Journal of The American Medical Association(JAMA): Rauch, S.D., CF Halpin, CF., Antonelli, PJ, Babu, S, Carey, J, BJ Gantz, BJ., Goebel, JA, Hammerschlag, PE, Harris, JP, , Isaacson, , B Lee, D, CJ Linstrom, CJ, Parnes, LS, H Shi, H, Slattery, WH, Telian, SA , Vrabec, JT, Reda, DJ Oral vs. Intratympanic Corticosteroid Therapy for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Randomized Trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol 305, No. 20, 2079.

Read the article: JAMA-2011-Rauch-2071-9

Participants in the SSNHL Study will be identified on the basis of their history of sudden deafness, a detailed audiogram (hearing test), and examination by a study physician. The study is summarized in the attached Flowchart.

Here is a list of the study components:

  1. All participants who meet entry criteria and give informed consent will be randomized to receive one of the study treatments, either oral prednisone for two weeks or a series of methylprednisolone ear injections over two weeks (4 doses total). Randomization means that neither you nor your doctor can choose which treatment you will receive. Instead it will be determined by random choice, something like a coin toss, and assigned by the Study.
  2. Four weeks after enrollment (two weeks after completing treatment) participants’ hearing will be retested to determine the effect of treatment.
  3. All participants will be seen for follow-up and repeat hearing tests again at three months and six months after enrollment.
  4. In addition to hearing tests at four weeks, three months, and six months, participants will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire at each visit detailing their general health and any symptoms or side-effects related to the treatments.

As with all medical treatments, there are some potential risks of the treatments offered in the SSNHL Study. Measures are built into the Study to assess and minimize this risk for the participants. A detailed list of these risks is reviewed with each participant as part of the Informed Consent process. Medication-related adverse experiences that may be encountered during the course of the trial include (but may not be limited to):

Oral prednisone

  • gastritis or gastrointestinal bleeding: stomach irritation or pain
  • Central Nervous System events: severe insomnia (difficulty sleeping), nervousness, anxiety, psychosis, mood disorders, and depression,
  • weight gain
  • diabetes; can become insulin-dependent
  • hypertension
  • cataracts
  • osteopenia: bone loss
  • avascular necrosis of bone: bone and/or hip pain
  • compression fracture
  • myopathy: loss of muscle tissue or muscle weakness
  • serious infections

IT methylprednisolone

  • chronic tympanic membrane perforation: eardrum perforation
  • conductive hearing loss
  • otalgia: ear pain
  • otitis media: middle ear infection with ear pain, hearing loss, possible ear drainage.

The SSNHL Study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) that oversees Human Research Studies at each of the collaborating medical centers.

 

Study Flowchart

ssnhl-study-flowchart

* to see the artcle:JAMA-2011-Rauch-2071-9

Practice Announcement

Dr. Paul Hammerschlag has retired after a long and distinguished career. His friend and colleague, Dr. Darius Kohan, Associate Professor at NYU School of Medicine and Director of Otology/Neurotology at Lenox Hill Hospital and MEETH, will continue to manage his practice and provide continued care for his patients. Please contact his office at 1-212-472-1300 to schedule an appointment.


Please read Dr. Hammerschlags' full retirement and practice transfer announcement here.

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