Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: The last remedy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

Authors : Yüksel OLGUN, Fatih Yunus EMRE, Aslı ÇAKIR ÇETİN, Günay KIRKIM, Hülya ELLİDOKUZ, Enis Alpin GÜNERİ

Pages : 8-13

View : 19 | Download : 13

Publication Date : 2020-03-20

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives: This study aims to evaluate hyperbaric oxygen HBO therapy as a salvage treatment option for sudden sensorineural hearing loss SSNHL and analyze factors influencing treatment outcomes. Patients and Methods: Charts of 27 patients 20 males, 7 females; mean age 50.8 years; range, 30 to 74 years who received HBO therapy as salvage treatment were retrospectively evaluated between January 2007 and December 2017. Patients’ demographics, time between onset of SSNHL to the initiation of steroid and HBO treatments, audiogram curves, tinnitus, vestibular symptoms, and pure tone audiometry results before and after steroid and HBO therapies were evaluated. Siegle’s criteria were used to evaluate treatment outcomes. Results: According to Siegle’s criteria, while seven patients had slight improvement, partial improvement was seen in two patients. With HBO therapy, a statistically significant improvement was seen at 250, 500, and 8000 Hz frequencies. Diabetes mellitus and patients’ age were related with treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be beneficial as a salvage treatment option in some patients. Better results may be expected particularly in young and non-diabetic patients.
Keywords : Hearing loss, hyperbaric oxygen, sensorineural