**2. Results**

#### *2.1. Auditory Function Analysis*

Profile of Mood States (POMS) analysis (Table 1) revealed in Group A subjects, the group treated with mushroom preparation, a significant improvement of subjective parameters related to the psycho-emotional status of the patients, as compared to untreated MD patients (Group B), where we did not observe particular changes. Table 2 shows homogeneity between the two groups regarding the number of crises, their duration, and the frequency of symptoms. Notably, data in Table 3 illustrates the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire, performed to define the clinical grading of tinnitus severity, showing a statistically significant improvement in the group of patients receiving *Coriolus* mushroom biomass treatment, as compared to the untreated group.


**Table 1.** Profile of Mood States (POMS).



#### **Table 3.** Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).


\* significantly different vs. control untreated MD patients (*p* < 0.05).

To document SNHL, we performed in all subjects, at the initial (T0) phase, tonal audiometry analysis (Figure 1). For both experimental groups, the tonal interest was centered on medium-high frequencies, with an average intensity of 55 dB loss. All subjects in the group A reported in the T1 phase, after treatment, significant changes, both in the frequency range, and in the average loss in dB, as compared to the initial T0 phase. Similarly, speech audiometry analysis revealed in the same subjects receiving mushrooms a significant improvement of intellection threshold, i.e., the ability of verbal discrimination, with respect to the initial T0 phase, where the threshold of intellection and perception

that is 100% of the given words was assumed to be 75 db. In contrast to the *Coriolus* biomass-treated group, in patients of Group B, however, we did not detect any significant change compared to thresholds measured at T0 initial phase. This finding was consistent with impedenzometric measures at examination, which revealed in all subjects either at T0 initial phase or at the T1 phase, an average increase in the threshold of stapedial reflexes and the positivity of the Metz test, indicative of cochlear suffering, with no significant differences between the two groups.

**Figure 1.** Tonal audiometry analysis. Tonal interest was centered on medium–high frequencies, with an average intensity of 55 dB loss. All subjects reported in both T0 (**B**) and T1 (**A**) phases no significant changes, either in the frequency range, or in the average loss in dB. Speech audiometry analysis, revealed in subjects of group A, who received mushrooms, a significant improvement of intellection threshold, i.e., the ability of verbal discrimination, respect to the initial T0 phase, where the threshold of intellection and perception that is 100% of the given words, was assumed to be 75 db.
