Adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen treatment for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the hearing gain efficacy from adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of chart reviews was performed on patients with ISSHL between January 2013 through December 2015. All patients were referred to us from our ENT Department for adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The results were assessed through pure-tone audiometry (PTA) data change (hearing gain), both before and after HBO2 treatment. Age, gender, affected ear side, HBO2 treatment sessions, both before and after HBO2 treatment PTA were all recorded. Results: Ninety-three (93) patients with ISSHL were included in the study. The average hearing gain in this study was 17.9 dB (p=0.001), where a total of 46 (49.46%) patients showed an improvement (hearing gain ≥10 dB) in response to HBO2 treatment (p=0.002). Patients with the poorest initial severity of hearing loss who displayed a greater degree of hearing improvement after HBO2 treatment were male and in the 40- to 59-year-old age group. Conclusion: This study found that adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen treatment was efficacious for patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The total average hearing gain was recorded to be 17.9 dB.

Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment the Sooner and Longer, the Better?

“…Some studies reported that HBO therapy is better for those with initial severe hearing loss [ 2 , 7 , 8 , 10 ]. Some studies indicate that patients with moderate ISSHL are improved by HBO therapy along with oral steroids, but HBO therapy is ineffective for patients with severe and profound hearing losses [ 16 , 19 ].…”

“…In cases where patients were unable to equalize their middle ear pressures, they were referred to our ENT department to receive a procedure of tympanic membrane puncture. With appropriate education and evaluation, only 30% of patients experienced pain at the eardrum during the HBO pressurizing step [ 8 ]. When such pain occurred, pressurizing speed was reduced, and time allowed for patients to adjust to pressure changes.…”

“…The other’s trial used HBO therapy as salvage therapy for ISSHL patients and showed some benefits in hearing improvement. Better results could be expected in patients with severe hearing loss and low frequencies [ 2 , 7 , 8 ]. The cochlea of inner ear is an organ that depends on adequate levels of oxygen in the blood.…”

“…In October 2011, the Undersea Hyperbaric Medicine Society (UHMS) added ISSHL to its list of approved indications [ 8 ] and in April 2016, the tenth European consensus conference on hyperbaric oxygen treatment was supported by sufficiently strong evidence [ 14 ]. However, in Taiwan, the Central Health insurance Bureau does not pay for this indication.…”

The role of hyperbaric oxygen in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

“…Therefore, adequate assessment of the patient’s systemic status and past medical history is required prior to treatment, and the application of HBOT in diseases should be careful ( Table 1 ). 12 20 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 …”