Sudden hearing loss. This update on the latest studies and management policies for patients suffering from sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) represents a cooperative effort of Belgian ENT surgeons from various corners of the country. SSHL has an incidence ranging from 5 to 20 cases per 100,000 persons per year, and is a relative medical emergency, as only 30% to 65% of the patients recover spontaneously. Nowadays, treatment varies a great deal between countries and hospitals. The various etiologies and therapeutic modalities are reviewed, and evidence levels are indicated. Finally, diagnostic and therapeutic organigrams are proposed along with a Belgian therapeutic cocktail in view of conducting a large Belgian study on the management of SSHL.
