Sudden sensorineural hearing loss: have we got a cure?

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.