[Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy in idiopathic sudden sensory neural hearing loss]

We analyzed statistically the prognosis of hearing impairment in patients with idiopathic sudden sensory neural hearing loss. 119 patients (HBO group) were treated with a combination of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) and stellate ganglion block (SGB), as well as oral administration of vasodilator and vitamins. Another 107 patients (control group) were treated with various other therapies. Collectively, the therapeutic outcome in the HBO group was better than in the control group. In addition, the recovery rate of hearing in the HBO group was superior to that in the control group for those cases which had severe hearing loss at the first medical examination, had been seen more than two weeks after onset, and had resisted other treatments. As a result of this study, we conclude that HBO is an effective therapeutic tool.