Five patients with Ramsay Hunt's syndrome and 14 with Bell's palsy were evaluated with facial scores (full score: 40) and the nerve excitability test (NET) to determine the method of therapy, including decompression surgery. ATP, vitamin B1, 6, 12 and hydrocortisone were administrated and vidarabine was added in the treatment of patients with Ramsay Hunt's syndrome. The NET results were assessed by the difference between the affected and healthy sides in the minimum current level needed to stimulate the nerve (ΔNET in mA). Low ΔNET values were demonstrated in 16 patients. Fifteen of them received conservative therapy and recovered completely. Denervation developed in three of the patients with increased ΔNET values, and two of them were operated on and recovered successfully. The final facial scores reached 38-40 in all patients except one drop-out and one very old patient. We conclude that frequent evaluation of the facial nerve is necessary to detect nerve denervation, and that the NET is clinically useful.