Efficacy and Safety of Hydroxychloroquine in the Treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss ≥ 30 dB in at least 3 consecutive frequencies, compared to the contralateral ear, within 3 days 2. Enrollment has to be accomplished within 14 days after SSNHL onset 3. Male or female aged ≥ 18 to 70 years 4. Ability to understand and follow the study protocol Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnant or breast-feeding female 2. positive pregnancy test before receiving the study drug 3. Due to a history of physical efforts suspected perilymph fistula or membrane rupture. 4. Previously existing, known retrocochlear hearing loss 5. Any history of any ear operation or chronic inflammatory disease of middle ear in the past one year 6. History of blunt or penetrating ear trauma, head trauma, barotrauma, or acoustic trauma immediately preceding SSHL. 7. History of Meniere's disease, autoimmune hearing loss, radiation-induced hearing loss, endolymphatic hydrops, and otosclerosis. 8. History of chronic inflammatory diseases or autoimmune diseases 9. Prior chemotherapy or treatment with immunosuppressant drugs 10. Patients on renal dialysis 11. Patients with history of retinopathy, or are using drugs that could induce retinopathy, such as Tamoxifen 12. History of allergy to hydroxychloroquine 13. Patients who are contraindicated with oral steroid treatment