Sudden hearing loss: our experiences in treatment with vasoactive and corticosteroid therapy

• Published in: Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo Vol. 140; no. 3-4; pp. 153 - 158
• Main Authors: Zivic, Ljubica, Zivic, Danijela, Djonovic, Nela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Serbian; English
• Published: Serbia Serbian Medical Society 01.03.2012
• Subjects: Adult; corticosteroids; Dexamethasone - therapeutic use; Female; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural - drug therapy; Hearing Loss, Sudden - diagnosis; Hearing Loss, Sudden - drug therapy; Humans; Male; Pentoxifylline - therapeutic use; sudden hearing loss; vasoactive agents; Vasodilator Agents - therapeutic use; Xanthinol Niacinate - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0370-8179; 2406-0895
• DOI: 10.2298/SARH1204153Z

Sudden hearing loss is a clinical entity of ambiguously defined aetiology manifested by hearing loss of more than 30 dB on three contiguous frequencies occurring within 72 hours. The lack of standard therapy protocol led to the use of variety of different therapies, thus making difficult objective quantification of their effect. The aim of the study was to present our experience in the treatment of sudden hearing loss with administration of vasoactive and corticosteroid therapy. Our research included 59 hospitally treated patients with a sudden hearing loss. During the period 1995-2004, 37 patients were treated using vasoactive agents (xanthinol nicotinate and pentoxifylline), and from 2004-2009, 22 patients were treated using parenteral corticosteroids (dexamethasone). All patients had unilateral sensorineural hearing loss of different level at frequencies from 500-4000 Hz, while other diagnostic procedures (laboratory tests, internist and neurology examinations, X-ray) were within normal limits. Evaluation of therapy effect was done by follow-up of hearing threshold changes and subjective complaints. The results showed that full recovery was achieved in patients with a mild and not fully severe hearing loss, with the majority of those (73%) under corticosteroid treatment. In these patients recovery was also achieved more rapidly. A partial recovery of hearing was detected in patients with hearing loss of more than 80 dB, and mostly in patients treated with corticosteroids. Although statistical evaluation does not indicate significant differences between the application of vasoactive drugs or corticosteroids, clinical findings support advantages of corticosteroid therapy. Treatment of hearing loss, although controversial, requires change of some up-to-now used agents. Advantages should go in favour of contricosteroids.