突发性聋患者纯音听阈曲线与临床疗效关系的分析

目的分析突发性聋患者纯音听阈曲线与临床疗效的关系。方法选择突发性聋患者144例(151耳),根据纯音听阈曲线分为5组:下降型31耳,上升型28耳,平坦型24耳,凹槽型27耳及全聋型41耳。均住院给予扩血管药物、能量合剂、激素治疗和高压氧等综合治疗。治疗后复查纯音测听,观察患者听力改善程度。结果144例患者各型听阈曲线患者有效率分别为:上升型89.3%,下降型61.3%,平坦型75.0%,凹槽型85.2%,全聋型48.8%。结论不同听阈曲线类型突聋患者中,上升型和凹槽型疗效较好,其次为下降型和平坦型,全聋型疗效最差。     

耳后注射甲强龙治疗难治性突发性聋疗效分析

目的探讨耳后注射甲强龙对难治性突发性聋的治疗效果。方法 45例经全身糖皮质激素治疗后未痊愈的全部频率下降的突发性聋患者,随机分为两组:对照组(23例)仅给予降低纤维蛋白原、改善微循环及营养神经等常规治疗,耳后组(22例)在此治疗基础上给予耳后注射甲泼尼龙琥珀酸钠20mg,隔日1次,共3次。结果给药后两周:耳后组及对照组总有效率分比为50%(11/22),30.4%(7/23);显效率分别为22.7%(5/22),0。耳后组气导平均听阈提高20.01±14.11dB,对照组提高10.47±8.53dB,两组之间有显著差异(P=0.0087);耳后组低频(250Hz,500Hz)气导平均听阈提高更显著,分别提高24.09±16.95dB;25.23±18.29dB;而对照组低频(250Hz,500Hz)分别提高10.43±9.87dB;11.52±9.46dB;两组之间有显著差异(P=0.0018,P=0.0027)。结论耳后注射甲强龙治疗难治性突发性聋,疗效显著,且对低频听力提高的效果更佳。     

鼠神经生长因子治疗全聋型突发性聋的疗效分析

目的观察鼠神经生长因子治疗全聋型突发性聋的临床疗效。方法回以2013年12月至2015年12月期间我科住院治疗的全聋型突发性聋患者为治疗组,应用鼠神经生长因子+巴曲酶+银杏达莫+甲泼尼龙+高压氧方案治疗;以2011年6月至2013年6月收治的全聋型突发性聋45例作为对照组,治疗方案中除无鼠神经生长因子外,余均和治疗组相同;疗程均为2周。采用回顾性研究方法比较分析两组治疗前后的平均听阈差及耳鸣症状分级差以评价疗效。结果治疗组患者听力改善总有效率为81.1%,照组为66.7%,组间差异无统计学意义(χ2=2.068,P=0.102);治疗组耳鸣改善率为86.0%,对照组为75.6%,差异无统计学意义(χ2=1.601,P=0.206)。结论鼠神经生长因子并不能提高全聋型突发性聋的整体效果。     

鼠神经生长因子治疗单侧突发性聋的疗效分析

目的 观察鼠神经生长因子治疗突发性聋的疗效.方法 回顾性分析2013年11月至2015年2月期间诊治的124例单侧突发性聋患者的临床资料,其中,治疗组59例,对照组65例,根据不同的听阈曲线,两组患者又进一步分为低中频下降型、中高频下降型、平坦型、全聋型4个亚组.对照组依据不同听力曲线类型给予相应的常规治疗,治疗组在对照组治疗的基础上,辅予鼠神经生长因子肌肉注射,疗程均为10天,比较两组及各亚组间治疗后的总有效率.结果 治疗组总有效率为64.41%(38/59),对照组总有效率为44.62%(29/65),治疗组的总有效率高于对照组(x2=4.877,P=0.032<0.05).治疗组低中频下降型、中高频下降型、平坦型、全聋型患者的有效率分别为82.35%、42.1%、72.27%、66.67%,对照组分别为61.11%、28.57%、50%、41.67%,两组间各听力曲线亚组间的疗效差异均无统计学意义(x2值分别为1.933、0.803、1.326、1.510,均为P>0.05).治疗过程中两组患者均未出现不良反应.结论 鼠神经生长因子治疗突发性聋有较好的临床疗效,且对各型听阈曲线的突发性聋均有效,无不良反应,是一种治疗突发性聋安全有效的药物.     

鼓室内与静脉注射地塞米松治疗突发性聋疗效比较北大核心CSCD

目的探讨鼓室内与静脉注射激素治疗突发性聋的疗效。方法 121例单耳突发性聋患者进行前瞻性随机对照研究,分为治疗组(60例,地塞米松3~5mg鼓室内注射,1次/天,连续7d)和对照组(61例,地塞米松10mg/d静脉滴注,持续3~5d),并于治疗前及治疗后第1、4及8w行纯音听阈测试,比较两组治疗后的有效率;并分别比较两组低频下降型、高频下降型及全频下降型患者之间治疗后气导听力提高值及3型之间总体听力提高值。结果 (1)治疗后1周治疗组痊愈11例,显效15例,有效20例,总有效率76.7%(46/60);对照组痊愈9例,显效16例,有效18例,总有效率71.67%(43/60),两组间总有效率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后4w及8w,两组间总有效率比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。(2)治疗后8w治疗组低频下降型及高频下降型突聋患者听力提高值分别为26.35±4.77及17.04±9.60dB,对照组分别为20.60±3.60及14.08±7.43dB,治疗组疗效较对照组更优(P<0.05)。(3)两组合计治疗后低频下降型突发性聋患者听力提高值(23.48±4.52dB)明显优于高频下降型(15.39±8.97dB)及全频下降型(10.73±7.11dB)(P<0.01)。结论连续1周每日鼓室内注射地塞米松治疗突发性聋是一种安全有效的方法,对于低频及高频下降型突发性聋患者,其较静脉给药疗效更优,值得临床推广。     

早期行鼓室内甲强龙注射或高压氧对全聋型突发性聋患者的疗效观察

目的探讨早期行鼓室内甲强龙注射或高压氧对全聋型突发性聋患者的疗效。方法将2017年8月~2019年4月期间确诊的全聋型突发性聋患者102例(102耳)随机分为三组,各组34例,根据治疗方案不同分为三组基础治疗组(金纳多+巴曲酶+泼尼松片)、高压氧组(基础治疗加高压氧治疗)、鼓室内激素注射组(基础治疗加鼓室内甲强龙注射)。三组均治疗一个月,比较三组的治疗效果。结果102例中,94例(94耳)完成所需的治疗和随访。鼓室内激素注射组(62.5%,20/32)和高压氧组(65.5%,19/29)有效率均明显高于基础治疗组(33.3%,11/33),差异有统计学意义(均为P<0.05);高压氧组与鼓室内激素注射组有效率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后高压氧组(64±23.1 dB HL)、鼓室内激素注射组(66±26.5 dB HL)纯音平均听阈低于基础治疗组(79±20.6 dB HL),差异有统计学意义(均为P<0.05),高压氧组与鼓室内激素注射组治疗后纯音平均听阈比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论全聋型突发性聋患者早期行鼓室内甲强龙注射或高压氧治疗,能提高疗效。     

急性低频感音神经性聋76例临床分析

目的探讨急性低频感音神经性聋(acute low-frequeacy hearing loss,ALHL)的临床特点及疗效。方法回顾性分析76例急性低频感音神经性聋患者的临床特征、听功能检查情况及以皮质类固醇激素、扩血管药物、神经营养药及高压氧治疗的疗效。结果 76例患者均以耳闷为主要症状,纯音听力曲线表现为低频下降型,中高频正常,单耳多发,女性多见,不伴眩晕且预后良好;治疗前后平均听阈值(125、250、500Hz)分别为30.5和14.7dB HL,治疗后较治疗前下降15.8dB;治愈率87.50%(70/80),有效率95.00%(76/80),仅2例(4耳)无效。结论 ALHL患者主要表现为耳闷,纯音听阈曲线为低频下降型,皮质类固醇激素及扩血管药物、神经营养药治疗有效。     

血浆乳酸含量与突发性聋预后的相关性研究

目的 探讨血浆乳酸含量与突发性聋患者的预后是否存在相关性。方法 回顾性分析2016年09月至2019年06月在我院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科就诊住院治疗的临床资料完整的突发性聋患者114例,比较不同听力下降程度、不同类型(低频下降型、高频下降型、平坦型和全聋型)及疗效(痊愈、显效、有效和无效)的突发性聋患者血浆乳酸含量。结果 不同程度听力下降的突发性聋患者血浆乳酸含量有差异(F=8.696, P<0.001);26-55dB与>91dB(P=0.002),56-90dB与>91dB(P<0.001)之间存在统计学差异。不同类型的突发性聋患者的血浆乳酸含量比较有统计学差异(F=5.658, P<0.001),低频下降型与全聋型比较(P<0.001),平坦型与全聋型比较(P=0.018),存在统计学差异。不同疗效组的血浆乳酸含量比较有统计学差异（F=8.711, P<0.001),采用最小显著性差异法（Least Significance Difference, LSD）两两分析,发现痊愈组与显效组（P=0.48）,痊愈组与有效组(P=0.001),痊愈组与...     

金纳多联合高压氧治疗突发性聋的疗效分析

目的分析金纳多联合高压氧治疗突发性聋的疗效,并探讨突发性聋的相关发病因素与疗效的关系。方法回顾性总结分析2010年1月至2011年12月在我院诊断并治疗的150例突发性聋患者的一般临床资料并进行疗效评估。结果 1、150例患者发病构成比调查中:女性、中年人、脑力劳动者、很少运动者、一般紧张者、单耳发病者构成比最大。2、治疗疗效为治愈49例,显效30例,有效27例,无效53例,总有效率为62.72%。3、在各因素与突发性聋疗效分析中,纯音听阈图(治疗前听力损失程度和听力曲线类型)、伴随眩晕、发病至就诊时间与突发性聋的疗效有统计学意义(P<0.05),认为上述因素影响突发性聋的疗效。而发病耳侧、伴发高血压、伴发糖尿病、白细胞数值、发病时情况、伴随耳鸣、年龄段与突发性聋的疗效无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 1.构成比调查:突发性聋患者中多为中年人以及年轻人多发,并脑力工作者为主。诱发因素中,精神压力大、劳累、睡眠质量差的更易患突发性聋。2.在疗效分析中,①金纳多联合高压氧治疗低频陡降型听力曲线类型的突发性聋患者疗效较好,对于高频下降型、全聋型听力曲线类型的患者疗效较差。②听力分型曲线图、发病至就诊时间是影响突发性聋疗效的因素。     

鼓室内注射甲强龙治疗不同类型突发性聋的临床疗效及预后影响因素分析

目的　探讨鼓室内注射甲强龙治疗不同类型突发性聋的临床疗效,分析预后影响因素。方法　收集突发性聋患者109例,分低频下降型、高频下降型、平坦下降型 及全聋型。全部用营养神经、改善循环等相同的基础治疗,所有患者从入院当日起每2天甲强龙（40 mg/ml）鼓室内注射1次,每次注射后第2天复查患耳纯音听力,痊愈则停止注射（总注射次数≤5次）。结果　不同类型突发性聋的总疗效差异有统计学意义（P =0.001）,组间两两比较：平坦型与全聋型差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,其余两两比较差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;预后影响因素分析显示：年龄（P =0.023）、突发性聋分型（P =0.002）有统计学意义;性别、患耳、耳鸣、耳胀、眩晕、高血压、糖尿病及高压氧无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论　甲强龙鼓室内注射治疗低频型突发性聋效果最好,高频型效果最差;预后影响因素中年龄是突发性聋独立的负相关因素。     

Usefulness of high doses of glucocorticoids and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss treatment.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of pharmacologic (steroids, vasodilators, vitamins, and Betaserc) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy on patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: The pharmacologic arm of the study consisted of 52 patients with defined sudden sensorineural hearing loss treated simultaneously in the ENT Department and National Center for Hyperbaric Medicine of the Medical University of Gdansk, Poland, from 1997 to 2000 (Group A). The hyperbaric oxygen therapy consisted of exposure to 100% oxygen at a pressure of 250 kPa for a total of 60 minutes in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber. The control group included 81 patients with defined sudden sensorineural hearing loss treated in the ENT Department, Medical University of Gdansk, from 1980 to 1996 (Group B). Both groups were comparable regarding the age of the patients, season of hearing loss occurrence, tinnitus and vestibular symptom frequency, delay before therapy, and average threshold loss before the start of treatment. The treatment results (hearing gain) were estimated using pure-tone audiometry. We retrospectively analyzed the audiograms of all patients. RESULTS: Patients from Group A (blood flow-promoting drugs, glucocorticoids in high doses, betahistine, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy) showed significantly better recovery of hearing levels compared with those from Group B (blood flow-promoting drugs and glucocorticoids in low doses) at seven frequencies (500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 6,000, and 8,000 Hz) (p < 0.05) and four groups of frequencies (pure-tone average, high-tone average, pure middle-tone average, and overall average) (p < 0.05). Percentage hearing gain in all investigated frequencies was also better in Group A versus Group B, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that hyperbaric oxygen therapy with high doses of glucocorticoids improves the results of conventional sudden sensorineural hearing loss treatment and should be recommended. In addition, the best results are achieved if the treatment is started as early as possible.     

Analysis of audio-vestibular assessment in acute low-tone hearing loss

Conclusion This study demonstrated excellent hearing recovery following the combined treatment of diuretic and oral steroid, and electrocochleography (ECoG) was significantly higher than normal side. This study reports characteristics of acute low-tone hearing loss (ALHL) that show the greater low-tone hearing loss, the higher ECoG, and excellent recovery, even-though low-tone hearing loss is worse, which can be different compared with sudden deafness. Objective To analyze ALHL without vertigo, this study compared the ALHL group with all patients exhibiting low-tone hearing loss and ear fullness. Hearing changes and vestibular functions were analyzed. Materials and methods ALHL was defined as a mean hearing loss of?≥?30?dB at 125, 250, and 500?Hz, and?≤?20?dB at 2, 4, and 8?kHz. From 156 cases of low-tone hearing loss of more than 10?dB without vertigo, 31 met the ALHL criteria and were subjected to audio-vestibular assessments including PTA, ECoG, vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing, and caloric testing. Results In ALHL, low-tone hearing loss was 42.7?±?9.5?dB, and 83.9% of ALHL significantly recovered by more than 10?dB. The ECoG in ALHL was 0.334?±?0.11 (higher than 0.25?±?0.08 on the normal side) and ECoG abnormality was 35.5% (the greater low-tone hearing loss, the higher ECoG value).     

鼓室内注射地塞米松治疗极重度以上突发性聋的临床研究

目的 评估鼓室内注射地塞米松在极重度以上突发性聋仞始治疗中的作用.方法 以发病2周内,未接受任何治疗,初始听力损失(250～4000 Hz均值)>90 dB的突发性聋患者78例作为研究对象,根据患者意愿分为全身激素+局部激素组(22例)、全身激素组(44例)和局部激素组(12例),各组均同时给予扩血管、营养神经的药物治疗和高压氧治疗.全身激素治疗采用地塞米松15 mg/d连用3 d,随后10 mg/d用3 d,最后5 mg/d用3 d.局部激素治疗采用鼓窜内注射5 mg/ml地塞米松0.8 ml,隔日1次,共5次.获取治疗后第10、20、30天的纯音测听结果并进行疗效评估.结果 治疗前影响预后的因素三组间基本匹配.治疗后纯音听阈均值(pure tone average,PTA)改善≥30 dB者所占比例,全身+局部激素组81.82%、局部激素组83.33%、全身激素组88.64%,三组间差异无统计学意义(P=0.726);治疗30 d后PTA改善值分别为:全身+局部激素组41.36 dB、局部激素组43.08 dB、全身激素组51.70 dB,三组间差异无统计学意义(F=1.58,P=0.2133).各组患者治疗后10 d听力改善最为显著,20 d听力基本稳定.纯音测听各频率听阈的改善程度由低频向高频逐渐递减.结论 局部激素治疗作为极重度以上突发性聋的初始治疗与全身激素治疗相比并无优越性.     

Comparison of therapeutic results in sudden sensorineural hearing loss with/without additional hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a retrospective review of 465 audiologically controlled cases

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2011, 36 , 121–128 Objective: To investigate the necessity of routine application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Design/setting and participants: A retrospective chart review looked at 465 patients, with 353 of them receiving pharmacologic treatments alone. Among these patients, 76 underwent systemic steroid treatment only (steroid group) and 277 received systemic steroids and dextran (steroid–dextran group). The remaining 112 patients were treated with hyperbaric oxygen in addition to pharmacologic agents (steroid–dextran–hyperbaric oxygen group). Main outcome measures: The outcome was determined by comparing the difference of pure‐tone thresholds and absolute hearing gains after treatment calculated at each audiometric octave frequency or grouped frequencies of audiograms. On the basis of the severity of initial hearing loss, patients were classified at three scales of hearing impairments measured in decibels hearing level (dBHL): ≦70 dBHL, less severe; 71–90 dBHL, severe; and ≧91 dBHL, profound. The outcomes of their hearing recovery were classified into three recovery grades: good, fair and poor. Results: In those patients with initial hearing loss >90 dBHL, the addition of hyperbaric oxygen to steroid–dextran gave a significant hearing gain difference (P = 0.030) by showing a greater hearing gain of 24.5 ± 2.7 dB compared with steroid only (12.9 ± 3.7 dB) or steroid–dextran (15.6 ± 2.7 dB). This outcome was confirmed when we compared the outcome using the recovery grading; steroid–dextran–hyperbaric oxygen group showed that more patients with initial profound (≧91 dBHL) hearing loss responded to hyperbaric oxygen treatment by exhibiting good and fair recoveries (2% and 70%) as compared with steroid only (0% and 42%) or steroid–dextran (8% and 46%) groups (P = 0.043), while the patients with initial severe (71–90 dBHL) and less severe (≦70 dBHL) hearing loss responded to the addition of hyperbaric oxygen treatment with less favourable recoveries. Furthermore, the addition of dextran in steroid–dextran group showed no significant benefit compared with the steroid group (P =0.435). Conclusions: When applied as an adjuvant to pharmacologic agents, hyperbaric oxygen benefits patients with initial profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Therefore, we recommend the routine application of hyperbaric oxygen in conjunction with pharmacologic agents for those patients. The addition of dextran to steroid has no benefit and cannot be recommended.     

Frequency-specific efficacy of intratympanic steroid on idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Background: Hearing recovery would be different in each sound frequency in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Aims/objectives: To analyze frequency-specific efficacy of intratympanic steroid on ISSNHL.

Materials and methods: Of a total of 381 patients with ISSNHL (hearing threshold ≥40?dB; ≤30?days until treatment), 174 patients (174 ears) received systemic steroid plus hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO group), and 207 patients (208 ears) received systemic plus intratympanic steroid (IT group). Hearing thresholds at 125–8000?Hz were measured at every octave before and after treatment.

Results: % of patients with hearing gains ≥10?dB in the IT group was significantly higher for 500?Hz and the average of 5 mid-frequencies, tended to be higher for 1000?Hz, but was significantly lower for 8000?Hz, compared to the HBO group. Multiple regression analysis showed that hearing recovery was negatively correlated with patients’ age for 125/2000/4000/8000?Hz and with days from onset to treatment for all frequencies, and also revealed better hearing recovery at 500/1000?Hz in the IT group than in the HBO group.

Conclusions: Intratympanic steroid is more effective than hyperbaric oxygen to yield better hearing outcomes at mid-frequencies and would be advantageous to restore sound/speech perception.

Significance: Superiority of intratympanic steroid over hyperbaric oxygen for treating ISSNHL was verified.     

Relationship between transducer type and low-frequency hearing loss for patients with ventilation tubes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the type of transducer used to perform pure-tone audiometry and the appearance of low-frequency hearing loss at 250Hz and 500Hz for patients with ventilation tubes. METHODS: Air conduction thresholds at 250Hz and 500Hz were measured using Telephonics TDH-49 supra-aural headphones and EARTONE 3-A insert earphones for patients with normal ears (N=16) and patients with ventilation tubes (N=114). Tympanometry was performed on each patient prior to audiometric testing. Audiometric test results obtained in normal ears were compared to results for patients with ventilation tubes. For analysis, the ventilation tube patients were separated into two groups, representative of ventilation tube type. RESULTS: Audiometric results obtained using the two transducer types at 250Hz and 500Hz revealed significant differences in threshold for patients with ventilation tubes. Thresholds obtained using insert earphones were generally worse than thresholds obtained using supra-aural headphones for this group. On average, difference in threshold was 14.15dB worse with insert earphones at 250Hz and 9.75dB worse with insert earphones at 500Hz for patients with Sheehy tubes. Average difference in threshold for patients with Donaldson tubes was 13.93dB worse with insert earphones at 250Hz and 8.93dB worse with insert earphones at 500Hz. In addition, thresholds were more variable for patients with ventilation tubes than normal ears at 500Hz. There were no significant differences in threshold for normal ears using both transducers. CONCLUSIONS: When performing pure-tone audiometry, choice of transducer can influence the accurate identification of a low-frequency hearing loss in patients with ventilation tubes. Low-frequency thresholds were generally worse using insert-style earphones to test subjects with tubes, resulting in the apparent identification of a hearing loss. However, with supra-aural headphones, no low-frequency hearing loss existed. There were no significant differences in threshold values using either transducer in normal ears.     

高压氧联合金纳多治疗突发性聋

目的：探讨金纳多联合高压氧治疗突发性聋的效果。 方法: 将50例突发性聋患者随机分为治疗组和对照组, 比较两组治疗前后平均听阈、血气分析及眼底循环监测结果。结果:两组治疗前后有效率、平均听阈、动脉氧分压有统计学差异，眼底微循环监测无明显改变。 结论: 金纳多联合高压氧治疗突发性聋疗效肯定，值得推广。     

三磷酸胞苷加地塞米松等综合治疗突发性聋的临床观察

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of application of cytridini triphosphatis (CTP) combined with dexamethasone on sudden deafness. METHODS: Two-hundred and seven patients (312 ears) with sudden deafness were randomly divided into CTP group (n = 159 ears) and control group (n = 153 ears). Besides intravenous administration of CTP, another treatments in CTP group were the same as that in control group including hyperbaric oxygen, vasodilator, energy preparation such as ATP, CoA and dexamethasone (DXM). RESULTS: The hearing threshold was (75.56 +/- 30.24) dB HL in CTP group and (72.50 +/- 40.50)dB HL in control group (P > 0.05) before treatment. The average value of the hearing threshold after treatment was decreased by (50.08 +/- 21.47) dB HL in CTP group and (19.45 +/- 19.12) dB in control group(P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: The application of CTP combined with DXM can significantly improve the effect of treatment on sudden deafness and CTP may enhance the recovery rate in the patients with sudden deafness, which was much higher than that treated by the traditional methods. However, the mechanism of the effect of CTP coupled with DXM is still unknown and further study is necessary.     

P0 antigen detection in sudden hearing loss and Ménière's disease: a new diagnostic marker?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of IgG autoantibodies against the P0 antigen in patients affected by sudden hearing loss and Meniere's disease (MD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients underwent a tonal audiometric evaluation, tympanometry, evaluation of the stapedial reflex threshold with decay time, determination of auditory brainstem responses and a complete vestibular assessment involving evaluation of spontaneous and positional nystagmus (Frenzel glasses), a head thrust test and a caloric test (Fitzgerald-Hallpike technique). Blood samples were drawn from all patients for the immunologic assessment of IgG antibodies against the P0 antigen (30-kDa protein) of guinea pig inner ear extracts using a Western blot assay. RESULTS: Ten patients affected by sudden hearing loss showed specific IgG antibodies against the P0 protein. Specifically, the P0 positive band was detectable in 5/45 patients with unilateral auditory impairment and in 5/5 of those with bilateral forms of auditory impairment. Among MD patients, the P0 positive band was detectable only in those with bilateral audiovestibular impairment (n = 10). Interestingly, in none of the 35 patients affected by monolateral MD were specific IgG antibodies against the P0 protein detectable. CONCLUSION: The positive reactions to P0 in all bilateral MD and bilateral sudden hearing loss patients found in this study strongly indicate that these pathologies are the result of an ongoing autoimmune process directed against specific antigens of the inner ear.