EFFECT OF INTRATYMPANICALLY ADMINISTERED GENTAMICIN ON HEARING AND TINNITUS IN MENIERES-DISEASE

We have examined the effect of intratympanic gentamicin on hearing and tinnitus in 69 patients with intractable Meniere's disease. Tinnitus was scored from 1 to 4 depending on its severity. The mean pure tone audiometry level before treatment was 57.5 dB and 1 year after treatment 63.5 dB. Five subjects became deaf in the treated ear, and in 13 subjects hearing loss was >10 dB and in 21 subjects 0-10 dB. In 25 subjects significant improvement (>10 dB) was gained, and in 5 patients hearing remained unchanged. The older subjects developed greater post-treatment hearing loss than the younger patients. Tinnitus was significantly reduced after treatment with gentamicin. A total of 66 patients had tinnitus before treatment and tinnitus relief was rated as good. Four percent of the subjects had no tinnitus, 30% had slight tinnitus, 27% moderate tinnitus, 18% severe, and 8% handicapping tinnitus.