Journal of IMAB (Jul 2021)

UNILATERAL PROFOUND DEAFNESS – A POSSIBLE MECHANISM

  • Konstantin Georgiev,
  • Yana Pacholova

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5272/jimab.2021273.3829
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 3
pp. 3829 – 3834

Abstract

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Purpose: To explain the clinical findings of patients with profound unilateral deafness who have recovered the hearing function after a combined treatment of hyperbaric oxygenation and dehydrant therapy. Material and method: 11 patients with profound sudden unilateral hearing loss above 90 dB SPL, intolerance to sounds similar to recruitment, at levels 10-20 dB above the hearing threshold (105-120 dB SPL), positive glycerol test and unexpected good recovery of hearing within 1-2 months are described. Results: All patients have perfect outcome results without the use of glucocorticoids. Conclusions: Based on articles about experiments with genetically modified animals and acquired deafness, we propose a possible mechanism of damage explaining the clinical findings and the favorable outcome of the disease – a disconnection between the tectorial membrane and stereocilia. Thus mechano-electrical transducer (MET) of hair cells cannot be activated. The combined use of hyperbaric oxygenation and dehydrant medications can lead to recovery of the hearing function.

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