What Researchers Did
Researchers retrospectively reviewed records of 2206 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) to evaluate the therapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
What They Found
Among 113 selected SSNHL patients (54 receiving HBOT, 59 controls), there was no significant overall difference in hearing improvement between those who received HBOT and those who did not. However, among the 21 diabetic patients, those who underwent HBOT showed a significant improvement in hearing compared to the control group.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with severe to profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), particularly those with diabetes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) combined with steroids might offer a beneficial treatment option. This suggests that diabetic patients with SSNHL could potentially experience better hearing outcomes with HBOT.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was not conducted in Canada or with Canadian participants.
Study Limitations
The study's retrospective design and the small number of diabetic patients receiving HBOT limit the generalizability of the findings.