Steroid Dosing for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

In a randomized trial, a very high–dose steroid was not more effective than a moderate dose.

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is characterized by unexplained unilateral hearing loss that arises rapidly during a few days. Systemic or intratympanic glucocorticoids are used widely to treat patients with ISSNHL, but the evidence supporting this practice is weak.

In this randomized trial, German researchers examined whether high-dose systemic steroids are more effective than moderate doses: They randomized 308 patients with ISSNHL to the following three groups:

High-dose intravenous prednisolone (250 mg daily for 5 days).
High-dose oral dexamethasone (40 mg daily for 5 days). (Note: The potency of 40-mg dexamethasone is similar to that of 250-mg prednisolone.)
Oral prednisone, 60 mg daily for 5 days followed by a 5-day …

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Steroid Dosing for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Topics

Reviewing Author