The effects of meteorological factors and air pollution on prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Aim: To evaluate the effect of air pollution parameters and meteorological factors on the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Methods: 40 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL who were treated in our clinic between 2015 and 2018 were examined retrospectively. Meteorological data including average temperature (Tmean), maximum and minimum temperature (Tmax and Tmin), relative humidity, and air pollution parameters including sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM 10). Data of 10 days prior to the disease and 14 days after the treatment were analyzed. Results: When the distribution of patients according to the seasons were examined, it was found that 12 (30%) of the patients were seen in autumn, 11 (27.5%) in spring, 9 (22.5%) in winter, and 8 (20%) in summer. When the Tmax, Tmin, Tmean values obtained as of the initiation of the treatment were compared, it was found that the values of the group without recovery were significantly lower. Relative humidity values were significantly lower in the group without recovery in pre-treatment and post-treatment measurements. No significant difference was found between the recovery groups in SO2 and PM10 values in pre-treatment and post-treatment measurements. Conclusion: It was observed that relative humidity, Tmax, Tmin, Tmean values may affect prognosis in ISSNHL patients in our study. In addition, SO2 and PM10 were not associated with ISSNHL recovery rates. Our study is the first in the literature in terms of evaluating the relationship between air pollution parameters and ISSNHL prognosis.