Objectives: We retrospectively analyzed 225 patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALSHL), comparing the effectiveness of corticosteroid and diuretic therapy, and also determining the factors affecting hearing recovery.
Design: Retrospective clinical record review.
Methods: Multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Results: Analyses identified unfavorable factors such as aging, late initiation of treatment, and pretreatment pure-tone hearing thresholds at three lower frequencies adding up to 95 dB and more. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated a significantly greater improvement in hearing in patients treated with corticosteroids at high initial and total doses than in those treated with vitamin B12 and ATP without adding corticosteroids. In 145 patients treated with corticosteroids, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a trend toward greater improvement with high initial and total doses than with low doses.
Conclusion: Corticosteroids should be changed from low to high doses within 7 days after onset of ALSHL, if low doses are failing.
Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel