Role of ginkgo biloba extract in acquired sensorineural hearing loss

The present study is on 52 patient of acquired SNHL who were treated with Ginkgo biloba extract (Ginkocer) or conventional treatment (Neurobion, Arlidine & Vit -A) or both. The age range was 11-75 years with male: female - 3.1. Commonest probable etiology was presbyacusis (36.5%) followed by idiopathic (28.8%). Subjective improvement in hearing was comparable in both the ttreatment groups. Objective improvement (> 10 dB ) was seen with Ginkocer therapy only in cases of idiopathic (3). ototoxicity (1) head injury (1). It was maximum in <25 yrs. age and ranged between 11-50 dB. However, statistically it was not significant for age, sex, socioeconomic status, oral habits, Hb level, serum cholesterol and albumin: globulin ratio. Patients showing no effect of drug were almost comparable in both the groups. In conventional group the remaining patients demonstrated drug efficacy of 30% while in the Ginkocer group it was upto 60%. The mean improvement in tinnitus was 52.32% with Ginkocer and 50.09% with conventional treatment. Relative improvement with Ginkocer was found better by 15.56%, 21.94% & 9.09% in presbyacusis, idiopathic: and ototoxicity group as compared to conventional group.