[Menière's disease and sudden deafness (author's transl)]

Abstract

The question is, is there any relation between sudden deafness and Menière's disease? Total hearing loss without recovery is typical of viral infection. In cases of sudden deafness some hearing rest generally remains. It can be the first symptom of Menière's disease, like the first attacks of vertigo which may occur without deafness. Measurements of stapedius reflex threshold and Békésy audiogram, especially the difference between the impulse tone and continuous tone indicate an inner hair cell damage and are helpful in the diagnosis of sudden deafness. But pathological adaptations are seen in cases of sudden deafness and also in Menière's disease. A decrease in the distance between the hearing threshold and the reflex threshold is a further indication of inner ear damage. The independence of the stapedius reflex threshold up to a hearing loss of 60 dB seems to be an indication for the different function of both types of hair cells. the reflex is supposed to be dependent only on the presence of the inner hair cells because the reflex threshold increases as soon as an inner hair cell damage of about 60 dB occurs. Clinical and audiological findings reveal no differences in sudden deafness and Menière's disease.