Changes in Hearing Associated With the Glycerol Test

The glycerol test for endolymphatic hydrops was administered to 21 patients with sensorineural hearing loss. Pure-tone sensitivity measurements and standard speech audiometry tests were completed prior to glycerol ingestion and at periods up to three hours after intake. Significant improvement in air conduction thresholds and speech discrimination scores were shown only in cases of Meniere's disease with fluctuating hearing loss. The results indicated that the test is an appropriate diagnostic tool in the evaluation of Meniere's cases and that it is a prognostic tool for evaluation of therapy. The test also offers the possibility of differentiating certain cochlear and retrocochlear lesions.