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Abstract:
The mean hearing gain (125-8,000 Hz) in 46 cases of sudden deafness treated with low molecular weight dextran was found to be significantly greater (20.9 dB) than that obtained in twelve cases treated differently (9.4 dB). These alternate measures of care included stellate ganglion blockade, vasoactive drugs, sodium bicarbonate infusions, and CO2-insufflation. Early diagnosis and treatment are considered to be crucial for successful therapy: the mean hearing gain in those patients who came for dextran treatment later than one week was less than half of the gain that resulted after treatment beginning within the first week. The results obtained conform with the hypothesis of cochlear microcirculation impairment or "sludging" as the prevalent cause of sudden deafness.