[Hemodilution therapy of acute inner ear damage]

Two independently conducted randomized clinical studies (sudden deafness; acute acoustic trauma) showed that in terms of hearing gain and the elimination of tinnitus low-molecular dextran 40 and 6% hydroxyethyl starch 40/0.5 do not produce any significant difference in therapy. Clear significant results were obtained with patients who suffered from acute acoustic trauma, when only NaCl-infusions were applied. Both rheologically effective substances show side effects, but they lie in the per-mil-range. On the grounds of measured clinical results we refuse zero or next to zero therapy of patients with acute inner ear damage. In our opinion, the two rheologically effective infusion solutions are equivalent.