The Optimized Protocol of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Hyperbaric Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a critical condition requiring prompt and effective treatment.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an adjunctive treatment for SSNHL, but optimal protocols remain under investigation.
• Corticosteroids are a standard initial therapy for SSNHL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal pressure and duration settings for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in treating sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).
• To compare the efficacy of different HBOT protocols when combined with corticosteroid therapy for SSNHL.
• To evaluate hearing recovery outcomes based on HBOT treatment parameters.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 112 patients diagnosed with SSNHL.
• All patients received systemic and intratympanic steroid therapy alongside HBOT.
• Patients were divided into three groups based on HBOT: 2.5 ATA for 1 hour (Group 1), 2.5 ATA for 2 hours (Group 2), and 1.5 ATA for 1 hour (Group 3), each for 10 sessions.
• Outcomes measured included pure-tone average (PTA), word discrimination score (WDS), and mean hearing gain.

Main Results:

• A total of 105 patients completed the 3-month follow-up.
• Groups 1 and 2 demonstrated significantly higher hearing recovery rates (57.6% and 58.8%, respectively) compared to Group 3 (31.3%).
• No significant difference in hearing recovery was observed between Group 1 (2.5 ATA for 1 hour) and Group 2 (2.5 ATA for 2 hours).
• Group 3 (1.5 ATA for 1 hour) showed significantly lower WDS and mean gain compared to Groups 1 and 2.

Conclusions:

• For SSNHL treated with HBOT and corticosteroids, higher pressure (2.5 ATA) is more effective than lower pressure (1.5 ATA).
• Increasing HBOT duration from 1 to 2 hours at 2.5 ATA did not yield significantly different hearing recovery results.
• The optimal HBOT protocol for SSNHL appears to be 2.5 ATA for 1 hour over 10 sessions when used as an initial adjunctive therapy.