Comparative Evaluation of Injection Dexamethasone and Oral Glycerol Versus Injection Dexamethasone Alone in the Treatment of Sudden Onset Sensorineural Deafness

Abstract

Objectives: Our study was aimed at finding a definitive treatment protocol for the management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and to study the prognostic factors affecting it. Methods: This randomized clinical study was conducted on a total of 150 patients. All patients older than 10 years and presenting within 15 days of experiencing the symptom of SSNHL and with no known etiology were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups. In group I patients, we administered systemic steroids (injection dexamethasone 3 days, followed by oral deflazacort for 6 days) with liquid glycerol; and in group II, we administered systemic steroids alone (injection dexamethasone 3 days, followed by oral deflazacort for 6 days). The total time for which the treatment was instituted was 9 days and patients were assessed on the basis of their pure tone audiogram and speech discrimination score done at days 0, 3, 7, 21, and 42. Results: There were 77 males and 73 females. Vertigo (P value