What is the potential outcome of Sudden Idiopathic SNHL if left untreated?

Sudden Idiopathic Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) is characterized by a rapid onset of hearing loss, often occurring in one ear without an apparent cause. If left untreated, the potential outcome can lead to permanent hearing loss. Many individuals may experience varying degrees of recovery, but without timely intervention, such as corticosteroid treatment or other appropriate measures, the chances of restoring normal hearing diminish significantly.

As for chronic pain, full recovery, and increased sensitivity, these outcomes are not typically associated with untreated sudden SNHL. Chronic pain is not a standard symptom that arises from this condition; hearing levels may not improve if the condition is unaddressed; and increased sensitivity is generally not a result of hearing loss but rather a different auditory phenomenon. Therefore, untreated sudden idiopathic SNHL can often result in irreversible hearing impairment, making permanent hearing loss the most plausible outcome.