Idiopathic sudden hearing loss: contradictory clinical evidence, placebo effects and high spontaneous recovery rate--where do we stand in assessing treatment outcomes?

Idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL) has an estimated incidence of 10-20/100,000 per year, impairing not only patients' hearing but also their ability to interact socially and their quality of life. Confronted with patients who demand successful treatment, physicians need to judge potential treatment options with regard to their reported efficiency, as well as their suitability for the individual patient. The dilemma of assessing treatment outcomes and options in ISHL will be discussed regarding a lack of knowledge of the disease's etiology, contradictory clinical evidence, high spontaneous recovery rate, and possible placebo effects. In conclusion, there is a dearth of structured research adhering to a common protocol, which makes comparison of trials and assessment of potential treatment outcomes difficult. Further research is warranted, taking some key recommendations into consideration.