SSHL occurs as a sudden unexplained, usually unilateral, rapid loss of hearing. It may also be accompanied by tinnitus and vertigo. There are different degrees of SSHL and it can even lead to deafness.

It is believed to be caused by vascular and rheological disturbance. But viral infections and disturbances of the cellular regulatory mechanism are not ruled out either.

We treat our patients with corticosteroids and/or rheologic infusion therapy to improve blood flow, as recommended by the guidelines of the German ENT Society. Recent clinical trials have shown that the intratympanic administration of steroids may be an additional treatment option.

We have been encouraged by the study results from leading university hospitals and have offered intratympanic corticosteroid therapy (ICT) as an additional treatment option for a number of years.