The Therapeutic Efficacy of Combined Antiviral Treatment in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Shin, See Ok; Choi, Young Seok; Lee, Dong Wook; Yong, Man Gang; Jeon, Cheong Woo; Lee, Chang Soo; Sim, Kyu Hwa; Lee, Joo Yun

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) is a disease occurring instantly or developing over several days. An etiological role for virus families is assumed. Corticosteroids improve the prognosis for hearing recovery in ISSHL, but the effects of acyclovir are still uncertain. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of antiviral drug acyclovir (Zoylex) in ISSHL.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred thirty four ears were divided into a study (41 ears, using acyclovir and steroid) and a control (93 ears, using steroid only) groups. Prognostic factors such as initial hearing loss, pattern of initial audiogram, coexistence of dizziness or tinnitus were used for parameters of comparison between two groups.
RESULTS
The overall recovery rate of the study group (53.7%) was better than that of the control group (46.2%), but it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The recovery rate of the study group was better than that of the control group on some prognostic factors, especially the period between the symptom attack and the beginning of treatment: however, there were no statistically significant differences either (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Therefore, no beneficial effects from combining acyclovir with prednisolone could be established in ISSHL.