Cochlear function in Ménière's disease.

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.