What Researchers Did
Researchers looked back at medical records to see if the timing of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), given along with steroids, affected hearing recovery in people with sudden hearing loss in one ear.
What They Found
This retrospective study of 128 patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss found that 72.7% had significant hearing improvement after treatment with steroids and HBOT. Starting HBOT earlier, within 12.5 days of the hearing loss beginning, was linked to better hearing outcomes. Statistical analysis (multivariate analysis and sensitivity testing) found that HBOT timing was the strongest predictor of hearing recovery, regardless of how severe the initial hearing loss was.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadians experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss, this study suggests that starting HBOT sooner, alongside steroid treatment, may be linked to better hearing recovery. All patients in this study received at least five HBOT sessions, started within 30 days of symptom onset. Patients should discuss timing and treatment options with their physician as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
This is a retrospective, non-randomised study without a control group, so it cannot prove that HBOT timing caused the improved outcomes, only that it was associated with them.