[The emergency in the management of sudden hearing loss; still of present interest? A study of 109 cases of sudden deafness].
The emergency in the treatment of sudden hearing loss. A controversial dogma?


OBJECTIVE
Does the delay in instigation of treatment in cases of sudden hearing loss affect the outcome?


METHODS
109 patients were included in this study. Sudden hearing loss is a much discussed subject in the literature. The authors agree on the concept of therapeutic emergency. This retrospective study aims to analyze the value of precocity in starting treatment on hearing improvement.


RESULTS
The therapeutic time delay does not appear to be a significant factor and sheds doubt on the rule of therapeutic emergency.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors remain nevertheless prudent on these conclusions. A larger number of cases should be studied. The question of a national versus placebo study is also laid.
Ayache
S
S
Clinique du Palais Grasse, ORPAC Département ORL Chirurgie Face et Cou, 25 avenue Chiris, 06130 Grasse, France. ayachestef@hotmail.com
Tramier
B
B
Michel
L
L
Strunski
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult