Comparison of tranexamic acid (Transamin) and traditional therapy for sudden deafness.

The effectiveness of tranexamic acid treatment for sudden deafness was studied in detail. The results of treatment with tranexamic acid administration in 19 cases (25 ears) of sudden deafness and two historical control groups using various treatments were compared by the chi square contingency test. The data suggested that tranexamic acid treatment may be superior to traditional treatments especially if treatment is begun early. Among ears treated with tranexamic acid, 11 ears (44%) were healed or recovered remarkably, 8 ears (32%) recovered slightly and 6 ears (24%) were unchanged or worsened. Fibrinolysis in the inner ear may be the pathophysiology of sudden deafness. Treatment with tranexamic acid starting within 4 days after onset of symptoms was most effective in patients whose initial audiogram was flat or concave, initial average hearing loss at 5 frequencies (250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz) was between 23 dB and 76 dB (mean; 45.1 dB) and was not accompanied by dizziness.