Why treat sudden hearing loss.

Recent laboratory and clinical studies provide increasing evidence that idiopathic sudden hearing loss can be effectively treated. First, corticosteroid therapy has been shown to be efficacious in restoring hearing in patients with moderate hearing losses. Second, studies of cochlear blood flow and perilymphatic oxygen tension indicate that positive modifications in PO2 can be obtained with 5% CO2 and 95% O2. Future clinical trials are likely to show that improved oxygenation of the cochlea will have a positive effect upon hearing recovery. Third, patients with a clear history of perilymph fistulas are managed by middle ear exploration and repair.