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

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy as a salvage treatment option for sudden sensorineuralhearing 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 HBOtherapy 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, andpure tone audiometry results before and after steroid and HBO therapies were evaluated. Siegle’s criteria were used to evaluatetreatment 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 andpatients’ age were related with treatment outcomes.Conclusion: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be beneficial as a salvage treatment option in some patients. Better results may beexpected particularly in young and non-diabetic patients.