More than 66,000 new cases of SSNHL in the US each year

A survey, using data from a database containing medical and pharmaceutical claims and containing information on more than 60 million unique patients, shows that there are more than 66,000 new cases of SSNHL (sudden sensorineural hearing loss) in the US each year.

Incidence increases with age

The survey showed an annual incidence of SSNHL of 27 per 100,000 in the United States. The incidence increased with age, ranging from 11 per 100,000 in patients younger than 18 years to 77 per 100,000 patients aged 65 and older. The survey also showed that SSNHL is more common among men than women, especially in patients 65 years and above.

The patients in the database were reported to be representative in a variety of demographic measures including age, sex and geographical location.

The study was carried out by The University of California-San Diego, division of Otolaryngoly-Head and neck Surgery and VA Medical Center, San Diego, California in the US.

Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov