What Researchers Did
This meta-analysis compared the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and intratympanic steroids (ITS) as salvage treatments for refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).
What They Found
Researchers found no significant difference in hearing improvement between HBOT and ITS (RR=1.09, 95% confidence interval: 0.83-1.42, p=0.55). Similarly, there was no significant difference in pure tone average changes between the two groups (MD=0.55, 95% confidence interval: -1.76-2.86, p=0.64).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss may consider either hyperbaric oxygen therapy or intratympanic steroids as salvage treatment options. Both modalities offer some benefits, and the choice between them may depend on availability, cost, and patient preference.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study suggests a need for future large-sample randomized controlled trials to definitively establish the superiority of one treatment over the other.