The use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in Europe

The aim of this study was to identify the practice differences in the use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in Europe.

A questionnaire comprising nine questions was built using the surveymonkey.com website. The medical directors of hyperbaric centres in Europe were invited by e-mail to complete the survey.

A total of 192 centres were invited to participate, of which 80 (41.6%) from 25 countries responded. Of these, 70 were using HBOT for SSNHL. The number of patients with SSNHL treated in these centres over a 12-month period ranged from 2 to 150 (mean 34, median 18). The majority of these centres (44 of 60) were accepting patients if they applied within 30 days of SSNHL diagnosis; 26 of these 60 centres were also treating patients presenting with tinnitus in isolation. The number of treatments ranged from five to 40 (mean 19, median 20). Forty-three of 56 centres used one session a day, whilst 13 reported using twice daily sessions for at least part of the HBOT course. Treatment duration varied between 60 and 140 minutes, and treatment pressure between 151 and 253 kPa.

This study has documented a wide range of approaches to the treatment of SSNHL with HBOT across Europe.