Comparison - effectiveness of oral steroid versus intratympanic Dexamethasone for sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss

Background

Sudden sensory neural hearing loss is an ENT emergency, where 90% are idiopathic. Steroids are the mainstay of treatment, but the best mode of delivery need to be determined.

 

Aim

This study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of oral steroid versus intratympanic Dexamethasone for sudden onset sensory neural hearing loss

 

Method

Prospective, interventional, randomised, comparative study was carried out at the ENT unit at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka from September 2013 to August 2015.

 

Results

7 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated in to two groups, and were treated with oral Prednisolone and Intratympanic Dexamethasone, which included 23 males and 14 females (n=37). Within the present study, 85% (17/20) patients who had oral Prednisolone and 94.10% (16/17) patients who had intratympanic Dexamethasone clinically improved after treatment. Overall improvement following ITD is significantly higher 94.10% (P<0.01). There were no adverse effects reported.

 

Conclusion

Intratympanic dexamethasone (ITD) is an effective treatment modality for patients presenting with sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss, compared to high dose oral steroids. Hearing improvement in low and mid frequencies are 100% compared to high frequencies. Early diagnosis and treatment, gave best results.