[Sudden deafness. Critical study of a series of 118 cases]

The different types of sudden deafness have been the subject of considerable research, particularly in respect of their definition and etiopathogenic mechanisms. The concept of a vascular disorder has acquired a predominant place that is open to discussion; very little attention has been paid to the very different ages of the patients, their sex distribution, and the varying course of sudden deafness with age. It is in this respect that the original nature of this study lies.