Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss among primary care physicians in Canada: a survey study
Abstract Background Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention as delayed treatment can lead to permanent and devastating consequences. Primary care physicians are likely the first to be presented with SSNHL and therefore have the crucial role of r...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2021-04-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-021-00498-x |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832544163493576704 |
|---|---|
| author | Benjamin Ng Matthew G. Crowson Vincent Lin |
| author_facet | Benjamin Ng Matthew G. Crowson Vincent Lin |
| author_sort | Benjamin Ng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention as delayed treatment can lead to permanent and devastating consequences. Primary care physicians are likely the first to be presented with SSNHL and therefore have the crucial role of recognizing it and initiating timely and appropriate management. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the current knowledge and practice trends pertaining to the diagnosis and management of SSNHL among family physicians in Canada. Methods An 18-question survey targeting Canadian family physicians was marketed through two, physician-only discussion groups on the social media platform Facebook. Responses were collected between August 1st and December 22nd 2019 then aggregated and quantified. Results 52 family physicians submitted responses. 94.2% (n = 49) reported that in their practice, unilateral SSNHL warrants urgent referral to otolaryngology and 84.6% (n = 44) reported that unilateral sudden-onset hearing loss warrants urgent referral for audiological testing. 73.1% of participants (n = 38) reported that they would attempt to differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss if presented with unilateral, acute or sudden-onset hearing loss. 61.5% (n = 32) would rely on tuning fork tests to inform management decisions, as compared to 94.2% (n = 49) relying on case history and 88.5% (n = 46) on otoscopy. 76.9% (n = 40) would prescribe corticosteroids if presented with confirmed, unilateral SSNHL. Conclusion The majority of family physicians in the study would make appropriate referral and treatment decisions in the management of SSNHL, understanding it is a medical emergency. Tuning fork tests are under-utilized for informing management decisions compared to other means of differentiating conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Further research is needed to understand why some family physicians do not prescribe corticosteroids for treatment of SSNHL, which may then identify any gaps in knowledge or inform improvements in clinical protocol. Graphical abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e0716f0432f348adafa0751e4ba7ed95 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1916-0216 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery |
| spelling | doaj-art-e0716f0432f348adafa0751e4ba7ed952025-02-03T10:54:11ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery1916-02162021-04-0150111110.1186/s40463-021-00498-xManagement of sudden sensorineural hearing loss among primary care physicians in Canada: a survey studyBenjamin Ng0Matthew G. Crowson1Vincent Lin2Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye & EarDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreAbstract Background Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention as delayed treatment can lead to permanent and devastating consequences. Primary care physicians are likely the first to be presented with SSNHL and therefore have the crucial role of recognizing it and initiating timely and appropriate management. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the current knowledge and practice trends pertaining to the diagnosis and management of SSNHL among family physicians in Canada. Methods An 18-question survey targeting Canadian family physicians was marketed through two, physician-only discussion groups on the social media platform Facebook. Responses were collected between August 1st and December 22nd 2019 then aggregated and quantified. Results 52 family physicians submitted responses. 94.2% (n = 49) reported that in their practice, unilateral SSNHL warrants urgent referral to otolaryngology and 84.6% (n = 44) reported that unilateral sudden-onset hearing loss warrants urgent referral for audiological testing. 73.1% of participants (n = 38) reported that they would attempt to differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss if presented with unilateral, acute or sudden-onset hearing loss. 61.5% (n = 32) would rely on tuning fork tests to inform management decisions, as compared to 94.2% (n = 49) relying on case history and 88.5% (n = 46) on otoscopy. 76.9% (n = 40) would prescribe corticosteroids if presented with confirmed, unilateral SSNHL. Conclusion The majority of family physicians in the study would make appropriate referral and treatment decisions in the management of SSNHL, understanding it is a medical emergency. Tuning fork tests are under-utilized for informing management decisions compared to other means of differentiating conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Further research is needed to understand why some family physicians do not prescribe corticosteroids for treatment of SSNHL, which may then identify any gaps in knowledge or inform improvements in clinical protocol. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-021-00498-xsudden hearing losssudden sensorineural hearing lossTuning forkWeber testRinne test |
| spellingShingle | Benjamin Ng Matthew G. Crowson Vincent Lin Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss among primary care physicians in Canada: a survey study Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery sudden hearing loss sudden sensorineural hearing loss Tuning fork Weber test Rinne test |
| title | Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss among primary care physicians in Canada: a survey study |
| title_full | Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss among primary care physicians in Canada: a survey study |
| title_fullStr | Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss among primary care physicians in Canada: a survey study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss among primary care physicians in Canada: a survey study |
| title_short | Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss among primary care physicians in Canada: a survey study |
| title_sort | management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss among primary care physicians in canada a survey study |
| topic | sudden hearing loss sudden sensorineural hearing loss Tuning fork Weber test Rinne test |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-021-00498-x |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT benjaminng managementofsuddensensorineuralhearinglossamongprimarycarephysiciansincanadaasurveystudy AT matthewgcrowson managementofsuddensensorineuralhearinglossamongprimarycarephysiciansincanadaasurveystudy AT vincentlin managementofsuddensensorineuralhearinglossamongprimarycarephysiciansincanadaasurveystudy |