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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as salvage treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss: review of rationale and preliminary report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 November 2009

E Muzzi ,
B Zennaro ,
R Visentin ,
F Soldano  and
C Sacilotto
E Muzzi*
Affiliation:
ENT Clinic, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy
B Zennaro
Affiliation:
OTI Services Hyperbaric Medicine Service, Venice, Italy
R Visentin
Affiliation:
OTI Services Hyperbaric Medicine Service, Venice, Italy
F Soldano
Affiliation:
Department of Medical and Morphological Research, Statistics, University of Udine, Italy
C Sacilotto
Affiliation:
ENT Clinic, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Enrico Muzzi, ENT, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, 15 P.le Santa Maria della Misericordia I-33100 Udine, Italy. Fax: +390432471195 E-mail: enr.muz@gmail.com
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Abstract

Background:

The management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss has not yet been standardised. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy influences recovery from sudden sensorineural hearing loss, but the underlying mechanism is unknown and the appropriate indications and protocols undetermined.

Materials and methods:

Nineteen patients affected by sudden sensorineural hearing loss were treated after unsuccessful medical therapy, either in an acute or chronic setting. Pure oxygen inhalation at 2.5 atmospheres absolute pressure was administered for 90 minutes, for 30 sessions. Frequency-specific and average pure tone hearing thresholds were determined before and after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The number of hyperbaric oxygen therapy sessions, the patient's age and any therapeutic delay were considered as quantitative variables possibly influencing outcome. Stepwise multivariate analysis was performed.

Results:

Salvage hyperbaric oxygen therapy appeared to improve patients' pure tone hearing thresholds, particularly at low frequencies. Positive results were more likely with increased patient age and reduced delay in receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Conclusion:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has a strong scientific rationale, and improves pure tone hearing thresholds in cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss unresponsive to medical therapy. Further research may be able to identify those patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss for whom hyperbaric oxygen therapy would be most cost-effective.

Keywords

Hyperbaric Oxygen TherapySudden Hearing Loss
Type
Online Only Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 2 , February 2010 , e2
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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