Audiometric results following endolymphatic sac surgery.

Decompression and drainage of the endolymphatic sac is a surgical procedure which was developed to relieve vertigo and hopefully to maintain or improve hearing in patients with Meniere's disease. In this study, 16 medically diagnosed Meniere's disease patients who underwent endolymphatic sac surgery were followed audiometrically for a period of up to three years. Pre- and postoperative audiometric and other symptomatic findings were reported. Results indicated that in the greatest majority of cases hearing remained essentially unchanged or was improved. Poorer hearing was found in 26.3% of the cases for pure tones and in 15.8% of the cases for speech reception thresholds and speech discrimination scores. Due to the fluctuating nature of auditory thresholds in Meniere's disease, it was found to be essential that patients be followed postoperatively for a period of at least three years.