What Researchers Did
This systematic review and network meta-analysis compared five salvage therapies for refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss (RSSNHL) to identify the best treatment.
What They Found
Compared to no additional treatment, post auricle steroid injection (PSI) and intratympanic injection of steroids (ITS) significantly improved hearing in patients with RSSNHL. PSI showed a mean hearing gain of 11.1 dB (95% CI, 4.4-17.9), which was greater than ITS at 7.7 dB (95% CI, 4.8-10.7). When a restricted definition of RSSNHL was used, ITS combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy showed the largest improvement of 14.5 dB (95% CI, 4.2-25.0).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients experiencing refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss may benefit from salvage therapies like post auricle steroid injection or intratympanic steroid injection. These treatments could offer a chance for improved hearing when initial systemic steroid therapy is ineffective.
Canadian Relevance
This study does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A key limitation of this research is the lack of a standardized consensus on the definition of refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss.