THE INFLUENCE OF VESTIBULAR DYSFUNCTION O N SUCCESS OF THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH SUDDEN HEARING-LOSS

The influence of vestibular dysfunction on severity of initial hearing loss and success of therapy was evaluated in a retrospective study wi th 142 patients suffering from idiopathic sudden hearing loss. In 48 % of these patients combined cochleovestibular disorders were found. In this group mean hearing loss was significantly higher (45 dB versus 3 2 dB) and hearing recovery after therapy (25% versus 38%) less pronoun ced. 83 % of patients with high grades of vestibular disorders (Vestib ular Index: greater than or equal to 9) showed a decrease of hearing f unction between 50 dB and 130 dB compared to 32% in the group with sig ns of low vestibular dysfunction. Additional vestibular lesion in pati ents with sudden deafness can be used as a criteria for prognosis. Hig h grade vestibular lesion reduce the probability of complete hearing r ecovery.