Transitory Acute Unilateral Perceptive Deafness

Abstract

Eight consecutive cases of unilateral subtotal perceptive deafness without other symptoms are reported. Seven of these patients have recovered. One patient with pronounced dizziness showed only a negligible regression of the auditory impairment. The therapeutic measures instituted were administration of vasodilators and vitamin B and rest. If the cause were a subclinical form of virus infection, all therapy at present available seems relatively useless (Bierman), unless the virus infection results in decreased blood flow to the cochlea. Since this possibility cannot be precluded, however, counteracting therapeutic measures should be instituted, and primarily of conservative nature. Fenestration of the labyrinth (Opheim) often results in further permanent disadvantages for the patient, and the possibility cannot be precluded that the improvement reported after operation in certain cases has been the result of spontaneous remission.

It appears that treatment should be instituted as early as possible and continued over a long period, at least three weeks, if improvement is not obtained. As shown by the case reports, restitution often takes place slowly but continues a long time. Therefore the cases should be followed continuously for weeks or months.