Objective perilymphatic fistula assessment by cochlin-tomoprotein testing and tympanoscopy for round and oval window coverage as first line therapy in severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Introduction Treatment options of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) varies and is highly discussed. Application of corticosteroids as first line therapy are common although it is still not known to what degree this outruns spontaneous recovery. Although etiology of SSNHL is mostly idiopathic, hearing loss can result from perilymphatic fistula (PLF) due to membrane rupture of round and/or oval window. Recent findings show evidence of a rate of 47% of PLF based on cochlin-tomoprotein (CTP) detection test. Based on this high rate of PLF SSNHL treatment concepts need to be re-evaluated. The aim of this study was to detect CTP in SSNHL patients and compare pre-surgical and post-surgical pure tone hearing thresholds after round and oval window sealing as first line treatment.