Cochlear function in Ménière's disease

Abstract

Objective: The authors assessed the effectiveness of therapy, common features of pure-tone audiograms, and results of non-invasive electrocochleography before and after mild inhibition of peripheral vestibular function by infrequent administration of single intratympanic gentamicin injections (ITPG) in patients with Ménière's disease (MD). Study sample: Sixty-two patients with Ménière's disease. Design: Retrospective study. Results: Out of 62 patients 65% received one injection, 24% two, 6% three, 3% five, and 2% six injections. Between injections, class A vertigo control was obtained after two weeks in all cases. Before ITPG, out of 62 pure-tone threshold audiograms 37 were ‘flat’. Average hearing threshold at 2 kHz was significantly better than that of 250, 500, and 0.75 kHz on the affected side. Conclusions: Hearing threshold in advanced MD is often flat with a characteristic small peak in the high frequency range, most frequently around 2–3 kHz. Should the complaints be intolerable, single injection ITPG-therapy may be safe and effective.

Key Words::

• Pure-tone threshold
• intratympanic gentamicin
• electrocochleography
• Ménière's disease

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to András Spät and György Füst for their continuing support as excellent teachers.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no declarations of interest.