Examination of the Relation Between Audiometric Configuration and Hematological Parameters in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Among the hematological parameters, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/ lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been associated with inflammatory state, microvascular damage and ischemia. It is well-known that these ratios increase in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). In ISSHL, different audiographic features may reflect different disease mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate whether there were differences in NLR and PLR among patient groups with different audiometric configurations. Patients meeting the study inclusion criteria were divided into four groups according to their audiogram configurations. Mean NLR and PLR values of the patient groups were compared among themselves and versus control group. The study was conducted with 166 participants. Mean NLR values were 3.07 ± 2.48, 3.30 ± 2.70, 5.24 ± 3.71, 3.57 ± 3.19 and 1.51 ± 0.68 for ascending, flat, descending and total/subtotal audiometric configuration groups and control group, respectively. Mean PLR values were 145.2 ± 126.7, 130.9 ± 57.8, 192.2 ± 94.4, 143.7 ± 70.8 and 94.1 ± 24.7 for ascending, flat, descending, total/subtotal audiometric configuration groups and control group, respectively. Both NLR and PLR were significantly greater in patients from all configuration groups than in control group ( < 0.05). In addition, the group with descending audiometric configuration showed significantly higher mean NLR and PLR compared to other audiometric configuration groups ( < 0.05). The highest level of inflammation was detected in the ISSHL patient group with high frequency hearing loss and descending audiographic configuration.