(Treatment of sudden deafness: first results of a comparative study)

A comparative study is undertaken in 36 cases of sudden deafness in order to appreciate the efficiency of three therapies: vaso-active drug and steroid administered through continuous perfusions, normovolemic hemodilution, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Groups are homogeneous with respect to age, time elapsed between onset of deafness and treatment, occurrence of vertigo, degree of hearing loss, and audiometric pattern. Results are expressed in terms of pure tone threshold improvement (dB), audiometric ratio recovery taking into account initial hearing loss, and effects upon tinnitus. These data are complemented with electrophysiological measures (click-evoked electrocochleography and auditory brainstem responses). Analysis of variance does not show significant differences among the three procedures. Mechanisms and possible usefulness are discussed, keeping in mind the difficulty of ascertaining the real efficiency of therapies with respect to spontaneous recovery.