Res Vestib Sci.  2024 Sep;23(3):95-100. 10.21790/rvs.2024.012.

Comparison of the outcomes of treatment with an oral diuretics with steroid and steroid only for acute low-tone hearing loss: a prospective randomized controlled trial

• Hong SM
• Choi Y
• Park SM
• Byun JY

• KMID: 2563702
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21790/rvs.2024.012

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a combined steroid and diuretic (isosorbide) treatment with that of steroid-only treatment in patients with acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss (ALHL).
Methods
A total of 34 patients with ALHL were recruited between January 2018 and December 2019 and randomized into two groups: a steroid-with-diuretic (isosorbide) group and a steroid-only group. The steroid-with-diuretic group received oral methylprednisolone for 10 days and isosorbide for 14 days, while the steroid-only group received methylprednisolone for 10 days. Hearing outcomes were measured using pure-tone audiometry at 8 weeks posttreatment. The outcomes were the absolute hearing gain at low frequencies (125, 250, and 500 Hz) and the recovery rate, which was classified into complete, partial, unchanged, progressive, and fluctuating.
Results
Of 34 patients, 30 (15 in each group) were analyzed. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the groups. The steroid-with-diuretic group showed higher absolute hearing gains at all three low frequencies than the steroid-only group, but the differences were not statistically significant complete recovery was observed in 13 patients in each group, with partial recovery in two patients in the steroid-with-diuretic group and unchanged outcomes in two patients in the steroid-only group. No patient exhibited disease progression.
Conclusions
Although combined steroid and diuretic therapy yielded better hearing outcomes than steroid-only therapy, the differences were not statistically significant. Further studies with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods are necessary to confirm these findings.

Keyword

Acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss; Diuretics; Steroids