1998 Volume 91 Issue 3 Pages 221-225
We have encountered 4 cases of severe idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) with vertigo. The worst hearing level over the course of the illness exceeded 90 dB in all cases. Steroid treatment, followed by defibrinating therapy (batroxobin preparation) were administered to 2 of the cases, but recovery of hearing loss was not obtained.
Steroid therapy was also performed in the other 2 cases, but hearing worsened despite the therapy. Steroid therapy was discontinued and r-globulin was administered to 1 case and acyclovir to the other case. The hearing of these 2 cases improved significantly with this medication. These observations suggest that cases of severe ISSHL should receive anti-viral treatment in addition to steroid therapy.
