Sudden sensorineural hearing loss: have we got a cure?
N. Panda, R. Verma, K. Saravanan
Dec 1, 2008
Citations
6
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Journal of otolaryngology - head & neck surgery = Le Journal d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale
Semantic Scholar
Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: The shotgun regimen effectively improves sudden sensorineural hearing loss, with the duration of hearing loss before seeking treatment being the most important factor in recovery.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of the shotgun regimen and to assess the various prognostic variables affecting recovery in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective study of 42 patients with SSNHL was done. The selected patients received oral prednisolone at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight tapered over 2 weeks and percutaneous application of 10 mg nitroglycerine for 1 week. RESULTS There was a clinically significant improvement in hearing in 36.2% of the patients. A significant association was seen between the duration of hearing loss before seeking treatment and the recovery. Younger patients showed better improvement. The severity of hearing loss at presentation had no influence on the recovery. CONCLUSIONS This regimen was found to be efficacious in the treatment of SSNHL. The single most important factor that influenced the recovery was the duration of hearing loss before seeking treatment.