Assessment of seasonal pattern of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A retrospective cross-sectional study

Background A seasonal trend of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss may direct research into possible aetiology. Methods This study reviewed data from the medical records of patients who presented from 2004 to 2019 and who were diagnosed with new-onset idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Seasonal pattern was assessed using chi-square and Rayleigh tests, and further confirmed by Monte Carlo simulation. Results The study included 740 patients with a mean age of 48.3 years and a median age of 49 years. There was no statistical evidence for a difference in the distribution of sensorineural hearing loss cases for the four seasons of each year or with the cumulative data. New-onset idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss cases averaged around 11 per month; there was no statistical evidence for a seasonal difference, as determined either by the Rayleigh test or with Monte Carlo simulation. Conclusion There was no evidence to support the claim that idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss incidence displays a seasonal pattern. More research is necessary to explore potential external factors such as climate or infection.