The Etiology of Fluctuating Hearing Loss

Abstract

1. Sixteen cases offluctuating hearing loss in which the etiology or diagnosis was not clear were investigated. Findings of the audiometric pattern and thefrequency range offluctuating hearing loss, as well as those of the glycerol test and electrocochleography, were quite similar to thosefound in Meniere's disease.
2. Among others,definite cases of Meniere's disease or progressive sensorineural hearing loss was excludedfrom thesubjects of the studyaftercareful evaluation.
3. Asfar as the cases presently investigated were concerned, no relation wasfound between thefluctuating hearing loss andfindings of various laboratory tests such as blood chemistry or immunoglobulin.
4. Based on the above mentionedfindings, it is presumable to take the fluctuating hearing loss in the present study to be cochlear type of Meniere's disease.