Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (Review)

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an acute hearing disorder that develops rapidly and is an otolaryngology emergency. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a non‑pharmacological treatment, has gained increasing attention for SSNHL management. HBOT exerts therapeutic effects by increasing inner ear oxygen partial pressure, improving the microcirculation and reducing inflammation, as its main mechanisms. When combined with glucocorticoids, HBOT can significantly improve treatment outcomes, particularly when initiated as an early intervention. However, its optimal clinical application has not yet been determined, mainly due to the lack of standardized treatment parameters, such as pressure settings, the duration of treatment and the therapeutic time window. In addition, clinical studies have yielded inconsistent results. The purpose of the present review is to explore the biological mechanisms, clinical efficacy and existing controversies of HBOT in the treatment of SSNHL, review and summarize the latest research progress, and discuss potential directions for future development.