Abstract
Objective: To evaluate ear fullness as an early symptom of endolymphatic hydrops by relating it to enhanced SP/AP ratio on electrocochleography.
Method: The study that was conducted between January 2010 and January 2011 included 2 groups. Group I (20 patients) with normal hearing and complaint of ear fullness with no eustachian dysfunction and group II (10 persons) as healthy controls. Basic audiologic assessment and electrocochleography were done for both groups.
Results: In group I, 100% of the patients had an enhanced SP/AP ratio in the ears with ear fullness in comparison to controls of group II. In group I, the SP/AP ratio ranged in 35 affected ears from 0.3 to 1.85 with a mean of 0.655 ± 0.325. In group II, the SP/AP ratio ranged in 20 ears from 0.25-0.29 with a mean of 0.27 ± 0.11.
Conclusion: Ear fullness can be an early sign of endolymphatic hydrops confirmed by electrocochleography leading to its early management.
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