[Antioxidants and hyperbaric oxygenation in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss in children]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatrics
• Hyperbaric Medicine

Background:

• Neurosensory hypoacusis, a form of hearing loss, affects children, impacting development and quality of life.
• Standard treatments for neurosensory hypoacusis have varying degrees of success.
• Exploring novel therapeutic combinations is crucial for improving pediatric hearing outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) combined with antioxidants for treating neurosensory hypoacusis in children.
• To compare the outcomes of this combined therapy against standard treatment protocols.
• To identify specific conditions within neurosensory hypoacusis where this combination therapy is most effective.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 36 children aged 1-14 years diagnosed with neurosensory hypoacusis.
• Treatment group received a course of 10 hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) sessions at 1.4 atm for 40 minutes, alongside antioxidant therapy.
• Control group received standard treatment for comparison.
• Audiological assessments were conducted to measure changes in sound perception.

Main Results:

• A significant response rate of 72.2% was observed in the group receiving HBO and antioxidants.
• Improvements in sound perception ranged from 5 to 25 dB.
• The highest effectiveness of the combined therapy was noted in cases of acute neurosensory hypoacusis.

Conclusions:

• Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) in conjunction with antioxidants demonstrates significant potential as an effective treatment for neurosensory hypoacusis in children.
• The combined approach offers a notable improvement in hearing function, particularly in acute presentations.
• This therapeutic strategy is recommended for integration into the combined treatment of pediatric neurosensory hypoacusis.