Objective：To assess the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoid in treating sudden hearing loss with local and systemic ways. Methods：The data base of PubMed，OVID，CBM，CNKI，VIP，Wanfang were systematically retrieved and the literatures associated with local and systemic glucocorticoid in the treatment of sudden hearing loss between 1971 and 2011 were collected. Literatures were screened according to the pre-established inclusion and exclusion standards and the quality was evaluated strictly by using the Cochrane Handbook 5.0. The data were extracted and analyzed by using RevMan 5.0 Meta-analysis software. Results：Among all the qualified literatures，7 articles were randomized controlled trials. Meta analysis results showed that the odds ratio（OR） of the total ef－fective rate within two groups was 2.01 and 95% confident interval（CI） was between 1.31 and 3.08. Regarding the influence of blood sugar，the statistical results showed that the value of χ2 was 3.592 and the value of P was greater than 0.05. Conlusions：Although there is no significant difference of the adverse effects between local and systemic glucocorticoid treatment，the local glucocorticoid for sudden deafness is more effective than the systemic administration. It can be preferred in clinical treatment.