ELECTROCOCHLEOGRAPHIC FINDINGS - MENIERES-DISEASE VERSUS SUDDEN SENSORINEURAL HEARING-LOSS

Electrocochleography was conducted in 185 patients with Meniere's dise ase and 117 with sudden deafness. Electrophysiological findings from t he two groups were compared in order to identify pathogenic similariti es between the two conditions. Parameters investigated were the summat ing potential (SP)/action potential (AP) ratio, audiometric profiles a nd audiometric changes after medical therapy. A high SP/AP ratio was f ound in the patients with sudden deafness, thus supporting a possible hydropic aetiology in this group. In conclusion, electrocochleography can be considered a useful technique as it permits identification of a n hydropic condition in certain cases of sudden deafness.