title: Transtympanic steroids as a salvage therapy in sudden hearing loss: preliminary results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand the real efficacy of transtympanic steroid therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) in patients in whom traditional therapies have failed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was designed in order to evaluate hearing improvement in SSHL patients treated with transtympanic therapy. A solution of methyl-prednisolone (MP) and sodium bicarbonate was administered via a transtympanic injection to 8 patients. Hearing level was evaluated before therapy and at days 1, 7 and 30.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hearing improvement was obtained in 75% of the patients. The patients in this category are usually considered untreatable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transtympanic steroid therapy is an efficacious solution for patients affected by SSHL in whom traditional therapies have failed. Further studies will be required to identify the most favourable dosage, route of administration and type of steroid. Transtympanic steroid application is safe, inexpensive, easy to perform and efficacious in cases of SSHL not responsive to traditional therapy.
authors: Second ENT Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa, Italy. iacopodallan@tiscali.it
authors: Iacopo
authors: I
authors: Dallan
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Bruschini
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Nacci
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Bruschini
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Traino
authors: Ferdinando
authors: F
authors: Rognini
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Fattori