Probability of clinically significant hearing recovery following salvage intratympanic steroids for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in the 'real world'.

'Real world' patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss present differently to those in the literature. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss should be diagnosed with care and intratympanic steroid injections initiated early if considered appropriate. Patients should make an informed decision on treatment based on prognostic factors and local success rates.