Impact of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Recovery in Patients With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the efficacy of various treatments for patients experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), with a focus on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and the effect of HBOT administration timing on hearing recovery.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In keeping with guideline recommendations, patients with SSNHL enrolled in this study received systemic corticosteroids, intratympanic dexamethasone, or HBOT in combination or as monotherapy. Hearing thresholds were determined using pure-tone audiometry (dB HL), and recovery was categorized as complete recovery (CR), partial recovery (PR), slight recovery (SR), or no recovery (NR). Post-treatment thresholds were assessed 2-3 months after symptom onset.

RESULTS

After treatment, we observed CR in 16 patients (15.2%), PR in 22 patients (21.0%), SR in 44 patients (42.0%), and NR in 23 patients (22.0%). Notably, among the 79 patients with severe hearing loss (>70 dB), those who received treatment within 2 weeks of onset showed better hearing outcomes than those who started treatment after 2 weeks. In the HBOT group, a shorter interval between symptom onset and HBOT initiation was associated with a higher likelihood of hearing improvement. Importantly, in patients with an initial hearing threshold of <70 dB, initiating HBOT within 2 weeks was associated with statistically significantly higher hearing recovery rates.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of our study support the premise that early initiation of HBOT within 2 weeks of symptom onset results in better hearing recovery in patients with SSNHL.