Combined treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss with steroid, dextran and piracetam: experience with 68 cases

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of our combined treatment regimen and to clarify the possible prognostic factors in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). In a retrospective chart review, the charts of 68 patients who matched the inclusion criteria of this study were evaluated. All patients were treated with a standard regimen including prednisone, dextran and piracetam between January 1998 and December 2001. Initial (at the beginning of therapy) and final (3 weeks after the beginning of therapy) audiograms were compared with respect to hearing improvement. Possible prognostic factors were also evaluated. Overall hearing improvement was determined as 54.4%. Sex was the only determined prognostic factor in this study. Females had a better prognosis. Our treatment regimen had no superiority to the reported spontaneous hearing recovery. Females seem to have a better prognosis.