What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a prospective cohort study to investigate the safety and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in adult patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) who had not responded to standard steroid and antiviral treatment.
What They Found
Out of nine adult patients, two experienced dramatic overall hearing improvement, and one showed dramatic improvement in speech discrimination. However, six patients had no demonstrable hearing gains. Two patients developed serous otitis media requiring myringotomy and pressure equalizing tube placement.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss who do not respond to initial steroid and antiviral treatments, hyperbaric oxygen therapy might offer some benefit, though it is not universally effective. Patients considering this therapy should discuss the potential for limited improvement and risks, such as ear complications, with their healthcare providers.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted at an urban tertiary referral center outside of Canada.
Study Limitations
The study was limited by its small sample size of nine patients, which restricts the generalizability of the findings.