BACKGROUND: The management strategy for functional recovery after vestibular neuritis (VN) has not yet been established. Therapeutic choices involve corticosteroids, vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) and the combination of corticosteroids with VRT. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of corticosteroids, vestibular rehabilitation, and combination of them in terms of subjective and objective improvement in patients with VN. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was conducted on 60 patients with acute vestibular neuritis within 3 days after symptom onset. The patients were divided into three groups; steroid group treated with corticosteroids (n = 20), VRT group (n = 20) managed with vestibular rehabilitation exercises and combination group (n = 20) received combined (corticosteroids and vestibular exercises). Groups were compared by caloric lateralization, vestibular myogenic potential amplitude asymmetry and Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores, both at presentation and up to 12 months. RESULTS: The study found no statistically significant difference between the three groups of the study at the end of the follow up period. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroids and VRT seem to be equivalently effective in patients with VN. The study proposes that corticosteroids may accelerate the recovery of VN, with no more beneficial role in the long-term prognosis of the disease.

Introduction Tinnitus patients with apparently normal hearing represent a challenge to models of tinnitus generation which rely on compromised cochlear function. Although it is known that any cochlear changes even subclinical can cause tinnitus, our rational was to apply an objective measure that can aids in the quantification of these cochlear changes. Objective The of study was designed to evaluate possible hidden or subclinical cochlear dysfunction in idiopathic subjective tinnitus patients with normal hearing using extended high frequency audiometry and otoacoustic emissions. Methods Forty seven subjects enrolled in this study divided into control group (20 normal hearing adults without tinnitus) and a study group (27 normal hearing adult patients complaining of tinnitus). Extended high frequency (EHF) audiometry and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) in addition to tinnitus matching study were done for all subjects. Study group further subdivided according to tinnitus pitch matching into low- and high-pitched tinnitus groups. Results The data of this study showed that patients with normal hearing sensitivity in the conventional frequency range (up to 8 kHz) and reporting tinnitus, present alterations of the auditory system in the affected side. This affection manifested as elevated EHF audiometry thresholds at 9000, 10,000, 11,200, 14,000 and 16,000 Hz. Most tinnitus patients had pitch matching frequency at high frequency range between (3000 and 8000 Hz). Transient evoked OAEs and distortion product OAEs amplitude was lower in tinnitus patients relative to controls. Conclusion The ultrahigh frequency hearing loss is not hidden – but – exists and awaits identification with appropriate testing.

ObjectiveEvaluating the auditory function in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with sofosbuvir and ribavirin.MethodsThis study involved 80 patients with chronic hepatitis C who agreed to receive sofosbuvir and ribavirin. All participants were subjected to baseline otological and audiological assessment just before treatment. The audiological assessment included standard pure tone audiometry, extended high-frequency audiometry, immitancemetry and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) (transient and distortion product). According to baseline hearing threshold measurements, the study population was divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 42 patients with normal hearing sensitivity (250–8000 Hz), and Group 2 included 38 patients with sensorineural hearing loss. After 24 weeks of therapy, otological and audiological assessments were repeated and compared between the two groups and before and after therapy.ResultsPost-treatment hearing threshold evaluation showed no significant difference from pretreatment evaluation at all tested frequencies. There was no statistically significant difference between pre and post-treatment otoacoustic emissions results.ConclusionTherapy with sofosbuvir and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C has no noticeable effects on cochlear functions.

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