[Physiopathology of the inner ear and therapy of presbyacusis (author's transl)]

Many experimental investigations have shown that labyrinthine fluids play a basic role in the physiology of the inner ear. Modifications of perilymphatic fluids have been demonstrated in perceptive deafness (otosclerosis, Ménière's disease, tympanolabyrinthosclerosis). Vasoactive agents fail to markedly affect the exchange between labyrinthine fluids, so that perceptive syndromes are generally regarded as unresponsive to treatment. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of 10-methoxy-1,6-diemthyl-ergoline-8 beta-methanol-(5-bromonicotinate) (nicergoline, Sermion) in various conditions of the inner ear. In this investigation, 30 patients with presbyacusis were treated with 30 mg/day p.o. for 30 days. Speech audiometric curves were improved in 4 out of 18 cases of physiological presbyacusis and in 6 out of 12 cases of accelerated presbyacusis. These results are very interesting, since few effective therapies are available to treat these conditions.