Pharmacotherapeutic Interventions for Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pharmacology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a chronic condition lacking established pharmacological treatments.
• Advances in drug-based therapies offer potential for SNHL prevention and treatment.
• This review synthesizes the current landscape of pharmacotherapeutics for SNHL.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of pharmacotherapeutics for SNHL.
• To summarize current research and ongoing clinical trials for SNHL drug therapies.
• To categorize interventions by mechanism of action.

Main Methods:

• Scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Systematic literature search of five databases (2004-2024).
• Narrative synthesis of 66 included records (48 studies, 18 trials).

Main Results:

• Antioxidants, corticosteroids, hematologic agents, and pathway modulators show potential against various SNHL causes.
• Emerging regenerative and gene therapies represent future pharmacologic treatment avenues.
• Sixty-six records were included, comprising published studies and clinical trial data.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacologic SNHL therapies are promising but limited by small sample sizes and delivery challenges.
• Future research should focus on multicenter trials and optimized drug delivery.
• Precision medicine approaches are recommended for future SNHL treatment development.