What Researchers Did
Researchers surveyed medical directors of hyperbaric centres across Europe to understand their practices regarding hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).
What They Found
Out of 192 invited European hyperbaric centres, 80 (41.6%) from 25 countries responded, with 70 reporting the use of HBOT for SSNHL. These 70 centres treated a mean of 34 SSNHL patients annually, with 44 of 60 centres accepting patients within 30 days of diagnosis, and treatment protocols varying significantly in number of sessions (5 to 40), duration, and pressure.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients seeking hyperbaric oxygen treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss should be aware that treatment protocols can vary significantly between centres. This highlights the importance of discussing specific treatment plans, including timing, number of sessions, and pressure, with their healthcare providers.
Canadian Relevance
This study specifically examined hyperbaric oxygen treatment practices for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in Europe and has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is the 41.6% response rate from invited centres, which may not fully capture the complete spectrum of HBOT practices across Europe.