Calcium antagonists in the treatment of sudden deafness.

In the treatment of patients with sudden deafness, we found no significant difference between an oral calcium antagonist (nifedipine) and intravenous naftidrofuryl given concomitantly with vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc. This prospective randomized study in 50 patients again shows that recovery to useful hearing levels tends to be spontaneous and independent of the type of medical treatment given. Irrespective of their capability to prevent contractions of cerebral vascular smooth muscle induced by neurotransmitter and vasoconstrictor substances and of their rheological properties, currently available calcium antagonists of the nifedipine type are unable to enhance hearing recovery at the present time.