[Therapy of sensorineural hearing loss in the aged with arteriosclerotic disease: a comparison of hydroxyethyl starch and prostaglandin].

We assessed 42 patients (aged between 51 and 86 years, average age: 71.6 years) with chronic bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in old-age, who showed bilateral pathological loss of discrimination. This was a group of patients diagnosed with internal-angiological arteriosclerotic vascular disease (uni- or bilateral obliteration of the carotid artery, condition following a cerebral ischaemic attack or peripheral arterial occlusive disease). 21 patients received infusion treatment with hydroxyethylamylum (HAES-steril 10%), a further 21 patients were infused with prostaglandin (Prostavasin, PGE-1) for three weeks. Pure tone audiometric and speech audiometric assessments were carried out before and after the infusion treatment (minimal loss of discrimination, overall word discrimination). It was statistically shown that there was no significant improvement of the average auditory threshold between 0.5 and 8 kHz using hydroxyethylamylum and prostaglandin. However, the examination results verify an increase of the minimal loss of discrimination and an improvement of speech comprehension following therapy with hydroxyethylamylum and prostaglandin. Between these two substances no difference was to be proved statistically. Our therapeutic results can be explained by the following considerations: 1. An improved circulation of the inner ear and the auditory pathway is to be regarded as possible reason for the achievement of the therapeutic effect. 2. An influence on the transmitter system of the cochlea and the auditory pathway is conceivable.