Hung, Wei ChenWei ChenHungLin, Kuei YouKuei YouLinCheng, Po WenPo WenChengYI-HO YOUNG2023-02-142023-02-142021-01-0114992027https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/628039Objectives: This study compared sudden deafness (SD) cases in 20-year age bands to investigate their causes and treatment outcome. Design: Retrospective study. Study Samples: 178 unilateral SD patients were divided into four 20-year age-groups, namely Groups I (aged 0–19 years, n = 6), II (aged 20–39 years, n = 33), III (aged 40–59 years, n = 63), and IV (aged 60–79 years, n = 76). Methods: An inner ear test battery and/or serology assay were performed. Results: Incidence of SD in relation to overall neurotological cases did not significantly differ among the four groups. Groups I and II showed two or three audiographic patterns, while Groups III and IV had six audiographic patterns indicating that the aetiology of Groups I and II may be of the same origin, while Groups III and IV had multiple aetiologies. The hearing improvement rate was significantly higher in Groups III (62%) and IV (62%) than in Groups I (16%) and II (33%). Conclusion: SD inevitably affects individuals of all ages. Significant differences in the audiographic patterns and speculative causes may account for various outcomes of treatment in each 20-year age band. Those SD patients aged 40–59 and 60–79 years showed significantly better treatment outcomes than those aged 0–19 and 20–39 years.enage band | elderly | Sudden deafness | vestibular-evoked myogenic potentialjournal article10.1080/14992027.2021.1900611337525752-s2.0-85102954890WOS:000631939300001https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85102954890