Utility of otoacoustic emissions and olivocochlear reflex in predicting vulnerability to noise-induced inner ear damage.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore the possible utility of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and efferent system strength to determine vulnerability to noise exposure in a clinical setting.

Materials And Methods: The study group comprised 344 volunteers who had just begun mandatory basic training as Hellenic Corps Officers Military Academy cadets. Pure-tone audiograms were obtained on both ears.

Systemic, intratympanic and combined administration of steroids for sudden hearing loss. A prospective randomized multicenter trial.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical trial was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of systemic versus intratympanic versus combined administration of steroids in the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Methods: 102 patients with an up to 14 days history of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were randomized to 1 of 3 arms and followed prospectively. Group A (35 patients) received prednisolone intravenously followed by methylprednisolone orally, whereas Group B (34 patients) were administered intratympanic methylprednisolone.

Hyperbaric oxygen as salvage treatment for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a salvage treatment for patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL).

Materials And Methods: Fifteen patients affected by sudden hearing loss and treated with hyperbaric oxygen after steroid and vasodilator therapy failed constituted the study group. A control group of 30 patients who were treated with steroids and vasodilator alone was also included.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome and a large concha bullosa pyocele.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a rare disease involving rode cone dystrophy, polydactyly, obesity, learning disabilities, hypogonadism and renal anomalies, symptoms caused by immotile cilia dysfunction. We report the first case of this syndrome in a teenager with an endonasal mass secondary to pyocele of a concha bullosa. The patient was treated successfully with endoscopic sinus surgery.

Perilymphatic fistula of the round window after whiplash injury: another cause of inner ear conductive hearing loss.

Perilymphatic fistula is usually associated with sudden or fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss. We present a case of whiplash injury in a patient who showed conductive hearing loss at low frequencies due to a perilymphatic fistula occurring in the round window. Although no middle ear pathology was found, the symptoms and laboratory findings were mimicking the so called "third mobile window" phenomenon, but without the presence of inner ear dehiscence.