Role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss management: A multicentre...

Purpose of the study was to provide an overview of whether addition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in management of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has beneficial outcome or not, based on cases evaluated and managed at multicentre tertiary care hospitals over a period of one and a half years.

A prospective observational study conducted at department of otorhinolaryngology of multicentre tertiary care hospitals from January 2022 to June 2023. Total 27 cases were seen and those fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in the study, and were divided into two groups; Group A- HBOT given along with conventional treatment and Group B- HBOT not given as HBOT facility not available at these centres, all patients were evaluated, managed and the outcomes were analysed.

Recovery was seen in 46.6% of Group A and 41.6% of Group B, all the cases with complete recovery had a short duration of presentation. No recovery was seen in 53.3% of Group A and 58.3% of Group B, most of the cases had a late onset of presentation. Success rate of Group A was greater than Group B, but this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Addition of HBOT to conventional treatment of sudden SNHL shows no benefit. For patients having any contraindications to conventional therapy, HBOT can be given as alternative therapy. However, keeping in mind the economic burden and no proven benefit of HBOT over conventional treatment for idiopathic sudden SNHL patients, requires further research at a larger multicentric study.