Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as salvage treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a prospective controlled study

Salvage therapy for refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss (RSSNHL): a systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Approximately 30-50% of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) patients show poor response to systemic steroid therapy. Additionally, the most appropriate treatment for patients with refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss (RSSNHL) is unknown. This study aimed to explore the best treatment for RSSNHL.

DESIGN

Using a frequentist contrast-based model and PRISMA guidelines, this study compared five salvage regimes: intratympanic injection of steroids (ITS), hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, post auricle steroid injection (PSI), ITS combined with HBO therapy, and continued systemic steroids.

STUDY SAMPLE

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for randomised controlled trials and cohort studies comparing treatment regimens for RSSNHL.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group (no additional treatment), PSI and ITS demonstrated significant improvements. The mean hearing gain was greater after PSI (11.1 dB [95% CI, 4.4-17.9]) than after ITS (7.7 dB [95% CI, 4.8-10.7]). When a restricted definition of RSSNHL was used, the ITS + HBO therapy showed the largest difference in improvement for pure tone average compared with the control group (14.5 dB [95% CI, 4.2-25.0]).

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of either PSI or ITS leads to the greatest therapeutic effect in patients with RSSNHL. However, a consensus on the definition of RSSNHL is needed.

The efficacy of nurse-led hyperbaric oxygen therapy in improving the quality of life in patients with sudden hearing loss

Background

The quality of life decreases in patients with sudden hearing loss due to hearing problems. In addition, complications due to hyperbaric oxygen therapy can reduce the quality of life.

Aim

This study was conducted to examine the efficacy of nurse-led hyperbaric oxygen therapy in improving the quality of life in patients with sudden hearing loss.

Subjects and Methods

This one-group pretest-posttest design study was conducted with 34 patients with Sudden Hearing Loss who applied to a university hospital for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy between November 2018 and February 2019. The data were collected using the Patient Information Form, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), and Pure Tone Threshold Audiogram.

Results

WHOQOL-BREF's quality of life rating (2.59 ± 0.86-3.68 ± 0.59), satisfaction with health status (2.65 ± 0.69-3.62 ± 0.60), physical domain (11.58 ± 2.08-14.84 ± 2.38), psychological domain (12.80 ± 2.21-15.82 ± 2.26), social domain (14.63 ± 3.09-16.78 ± 2.67) and environmental domain (14.25 ± 2.55-16.34 ± 2.60) mean scores significantly increased compared to the pre-treatment scores (p < 0.001). The presence of an acute illness in the last month, the persistence of sudden hearing loss symptoms, level of hearing loss, presence of chronic illness, and smoking were found to affect the quality of life.

Conclusions

At the end of the nurse-led hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with sudden hearing loss, the quality of life increased and the hearing loss decreased. The most important factor affecting the quality of life was the persistence of symptoms of sudden hearing loss.

Prognostic factors for hearing outcomes in patients that undergo adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Introduction

The aim of this study is to explore the potential factors in hearing outcomes and verify the role of oxidant‐antioxidant equilibrium on the prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Methods

Ninety‐two patients who were diagnosed with SSNHL between January 2018 and December 2019 in our hearing clinic center were included in this study. All patients were treated with intravenous dexamethasone, and 72 cases were treated with additional HBOT for 10 consecutive days. Peripheral blood was collected prior to any treatment to determine the blood cell count and hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Pure tone audiometry was measured before and after treatment. Complete and overall recovery rate was evaluated. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to identify prognostic factors.

Results

The rate of overall recovery was significantly higher in the patient with combined therapy compared to patients treated with steroids only (51.4% vs 25.0%, p = .036). The levels of HGB, HCT, and SOD were much higher in the patients with better hearing outcomes (p = .027, .033, and .011, respectively). Multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that patients with higher initial hearing thresholds, or hearing loss at overall frequency, were more prone to have poor hearing gains after HBOT.

Conclusion

HBOT is effective as an early adjuvant therapy for SSNHL. Hearing loss at low frequency, low initial hearing thresholds, as well as high HBG, HCT, and SOD levels are positive prognostic factors for SSNHL patients treated with HBOT.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Versus Intratympanic Steroid for Salvage Treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and intratympanic steroids (ITS) as salvage treatment for patients with refractory sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

DATA SOURCES

Electronic search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wan Fang databases to June 1, 2020.

METHODS

For each outcome measure, a forest plot was generated and a pooled relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) was calculated. Potential publication bias in the meta-analysis was assessed using funnel plot.

RESULTS

The numbers of cases with hearing improvements and pure tone averages (PTA) changes after salvage treatment were entered into the R software to calculate the pooled effect of HBOT compared with ITS. When pooling the results of the studies reporting the proportion of patients with hearing improvement, a fixed-effects model was used. We calculated the RR and found no significant difference when HBOT compared with ITS (RR = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83-1.42, p = 0.55). With respect to the PTA changes, a fixed-effects model was used. The improvement in the PTA (in dB) was calculated in MD and no significant difference was found between the two groups (MD = 0.55, 95% CI: -1.76-2.86, p = 0.64).

CONCLUSION

Both HBOT and ITS offer some benefits for refractory SSNHL patients, and there were no significant differences in hearing outcomes between the two modalities. Future RCTs that include large samples are needed to demonstrate superiority of one of the treatments.

Comparison of Steroid Treatment with and without Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Background and Objectives

In this study, we compared the outcomes of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss who underwent steroid treatment with or without hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy and were followed-up in our clinic.

Subjects and Methods

Patients were divided into two groups according to their treatment regimen. Steroid group received intravenous 1 mg/kg methylprednisolone which was due to be completed in 2-3 weeks with decreasing doses, and five doses of 0.5 mL intratympanic dexamethasone. Steroid+HBO group received the same steroid treatment with the addition of HBO therapy. The audiologic results of both treatment groups were compared after considering the patients’ risk factors.

Results

There was no significant difference between the steroid and Steroid+HBO groups in terms of hearing gain and degree of recovery, both at all degrees of hearing loss, and in severe and profound hearing loss. Hearing gain was similar when evaluated by audiogram type and admission time in both treatment groups.

Conclusions

We found that the addition of HBO therapy to systemic plus intratympanic steroid treatment did not affect hearing gain at all degrees of hearing loss in this study. Furthermore, audiogram type and admission time did not affect hearing gain between the two groups.

Addition of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy vs Medical Therapy Alone for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) causes substantial disease burden for both individuals and socioeconomic aspects. The benefit of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in addition to standard medical therapy (MT) for idiopathic SSNHL has been unclear.

Objective

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare HBOT + MT with MT alone as a treatment for patients with SSNHL.

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were systematically searched up to February 2018.

Study Selection

Randomized clinical trials and nonrandomized studies comparing HBOT + MT with MT alone for SSNHL treatment.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Two investigators independently screened the eligible studies, established data, and assessed quality and risk of bias. A systematic review and meta-analysis using random-effects models was conducted.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was complete hearing recovery, and secondary outcomes were any hearing recovery and absolute hearing gain.

Results

Three randomized clinical trials and 16 nonrandomized studies comparing outcomes after HBOT + MT vs MT alone in 2401 patients with SSNHL (mean age, 45.4 years; 55.3% female) were included. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) for complete hearing recovery and any hearing recovery were significantly higher in the HBOT + MT group than in the MT alone group (complete hearing recovery OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.05-2.44 and any hearing recovery OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.20-1.67). Absolute hearing gain was also significantly greater in the HBOT + MT group than in the MT alone group. The benefit of HBOT was greater in groups with severe to profound hearing loss at baseline, HBOT as a salvage treatment, and a total HBOT duration of at least 1200 minutes.

Conclusions and Relevance

The addition of HBOT to standard MT is a reasonable treatment option for SSNHL, particularly for those patients with severe to profound hearing loss at baseline and those who undergo HBOT as a salvage treatment with a prolonged duration. Optimal criteria for patient selection and a standardized regimen for HBOT should be applied in routine practice, with future trials to investigate maximal treatment benefit.

The use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in acute hearing loss: a narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Acute hearing loss can have a major impact on a patient's life. This holds true for both acute acoustic trauma (AAT) and idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL), two devastating conditions for which no highly effective treatment options exist. This narrative review provides the rationale and evidence for HBOT in AAT and ISSHL.

METHODS

Narrative review of all the literature available on HBOT in acute hearing loss, studies were retrieved from systematic searches on PubMed and by cross referencing.

DISCUSSION

First, the etiological mechanisms of acute hearing loss and the mechanism of action of HBOT were discussed. Furthermore, we have provided an overview of 68 studies that clinically investigated the effect of HBOT in the last couple of decades. For future studies, it is recommend to start as early as possible with therapy, preferably within 48 h and to use combination therapy consisting of HBOT and corticosteroids.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

HBOT has been used quite extensively for acute hearing loss in the last couple of decades. Based on the amount of studies showing a positive effect, HBOT should be discussed with patients (shared decision making) as optional therapy in case of AAT and ISSHL.

Markers of Oxidant-Antioxidant Equilibrium in Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

The concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs) in plasma and erythrocytes, the activity of selected antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes: catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the levels of hemoglobin (HGB) and haematocrit (HCT) were determined in 40 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) subjected to 14 treatment sessions in a Haux Starmed 2200 hyperbaric chamber. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy involved breathing 100% oxygen at 0.25 MPa. Blood for analysis was collected from the basilic vein at three time points: before the first HBO session, approximately 5 min after the first session, and after the 14th session. The control group included 20 healthy individuals never before treated with HBO therapy. Compared to the pre-HBO values, a 10% increase (P < 0.05) in the TBARS concentration in erythrocytes, a 28% increase in the GPx activity (P < 0.05), and a 7% decrease in the SOD activity (P < 0.05) were observed after 14 HBO sessions. The CAT activity decreased by 6% (P < 0.05) after the first session. The TBARS concentration in plasma was 13% higher (P < 0.01), while that in erythrocytes was 24% lower (P < 0.001) in the SSNHL patients before the first HBO session compared to the control group. The CAT activity in the SSNHL patients before HBO therapy was 26% higher (P < 0.001) than that in the control group. A statistically significant reduction in HGB and HCT after 14 HBO sessions (P < 0.01) compared to the pre-HBO values was demonstrated. SSNHL is accompanied by disturbance in the oxidant-antioxidant equilibrium. Repeated stimulation with hyperbaric oxygen modulates the activity of antioxidant enzymes. It seems that the increased generation of hydrogen peroxide is responsible for the changes in the activity of antioxidant barrier enzymes observed after HBO sessions.

Plasma levels of endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 and pentraxin-3 in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the plasma levels of endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (ESM-1) and pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and to compare the pre- and post-treatment levels in patients responsive and non-responsive to therapy.

METHODS

The study included 108 subjects: 51 with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and 57 controls. For ESM-1 and PTX-3 analyses, blood samples were collected before and three months after treatment initiation in the idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss group and once for the control group. Treatment response was evaluated three months after therapy initiation with pure tone audiometry, and the patients were divided into two groups: responsive and non-responsive to treatment.

RESULTS

Serum ESM-1 levels were significantly higher in the idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss group than the control group, whereas the difference was not significant for PTX-3. In the responsive and non-responsive groups, ESM-1 and PTX-3 levels were not statistically different before and after treatment.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating plasma ESM-1 and PTX-3 levels in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Increased plasma ESM-1 levels may confirm endothelial dysfunction involvement in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss pathogenesis, which could be associated with vascular impairment.

The effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a systematic review

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL).

Data sources

An Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane search were utilised to identify various clinical trials on the treatment of ISSHL. Studies that were published between 2002 and 2018 and written in the English, Dutch or German language were included. Search terms included synonyms for idiopathic sudden hearing loss.

Data synthesis

A total of 16 articles were identified regarding hyperbaric oxygen therapy. All patients were evaluated with pure-tone audiometry. A major part of the cases presented with unilateral hearing loss(bilateral hearing loss less than 5%). In several studies, the average of the mean hearing gain at five contiguous frequencies was significantly higher in the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy and systemic steroid (SS) group in patients with severe or profound hearing impairment. They recorded a significant treatment effect (p = 0.005) of HBO + SS therapy on patients with an initial hearing loss of ≥ 81 dB.

Conclusions

On the whole group of ISSHL patients, no significant difference was demonstrated between the intervention and control group. However, in severe or profound hearing-impaired ISSHL patients, significant benefit was observed in the intervention group. These results likely indicate that adding HBO to steroid therapies might be of benefit in cases of severe and profound hearing impairment.

Necessity of admission to improve the hearing-recovery rate in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic potential of admission of a patient for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective clinical study.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 301 patients with ISSNHL. The patients were divided into a study (57 patients at out-patients department (OPD) based treatment, using systemic steroids and intra-tympanic (IT) steroid injection) and a control groups (301 patients at admission, using systemic steroids and IT steroid injection). We compared the success rate (15 dB cut off), Siegel's criteria and hearing gain decibels between two groups.

RESULTS

The overall recovery rate of the OPD based treatment group (29.8%) was poor than that of the admission group (52.9%) (p = .002). The odd ratio of OPD based treatment factor was 2.035 when the OPD based treatment and poor prognostic factors were analyzed at logistic regression test (Duration of delayed treatment, 1.073; average hearing loss level, 0.972) (p = .041).

CONCLUSION

Admission must be strongly recommended when the patients with ISSNHL asked about the necessity of admission. We hypothesized that resting, getting out of their social stress, and relief of anxiety might be helpful to their hearing recoveries.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as Adjuvant Treatment for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss after Failure of Systemic Steroids

We evaluated the outcomes of and prognostic factors for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) treated with adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). A retrospective review of clinical data was performed for 167 patients with ISSNHL who failed to respond to systemic steroids and were treated by adjuvant HBOT at Shizuoka Saiseikai General Hospital. We analysed the clinical outcomes, the averaged 5-frequency hearing level after systemic steroids, patient age, the interval between post-steroids and pre-HBOT, vertigo as a complication, the presence of diabetes mellitus, smoking history, and hypertension. Overall, after HBOT, complete recovery occurred in 16 (9.6%) of the patients, with definite improvement in 16 (9.6%) and slight improvement in 45 (26.9%). The overall rate of hearing improvement was higher in the study group (77/167 cases, 46.1%) than in the control group (52/160 cases, 32.5%; p = 0.021). If performed appropriately, HBOT should be able to improve hearing in many cases unresponsive to initial therapy.

Prognostic factors for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and intravenous steroids

Objective:

This study evaluated the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss when treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy and intravenous steroids.

Methods:

The clinical data for 334 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy and intravenous steroids at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. These data included the initial averaged five-frequency hearing level, patient age, interval between onset of symptoms and treatment, vertigo as a complication, and co-existence of diabetes mellitus.

Results:

The overall improvement rate was 69.2 per cent, including better improvement (25.5 per cent), good improvement (21.0 per cent) and fair improvement (22.7 per cent).

Conclusion:

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy appears to confer a significant additional therapeutic benefit when used in combination with steroid therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. If performed early, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may bring about hearing improvement in many patients who are unresponsive to initial therapy.

Intratympanic steroid injection and hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of refractory sudden hearing loss

INTRODUCTION

Controversy surrounds the use of salvage therapies to treat sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), with no consensus on recommendations. While several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of intratympanic administration of steroids (ITS) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment, few have compared the efficacy of ITS and HBO therapy in patients with refractory SSNHL.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the efficiency of ITS and HBO therapy in patients with refractory SSNHL.

METHODS

Patients who did not adequately benefit from systemic treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Refractory patients were defined as those who gained less than 20dB in hearing after initial treatment. All refractory patients were informed about salvage therapy options: ITS or HBO therapy, the advantages and disadvantages of which were explained briefly. ITS involved 4mg/mL dexamethasone administered through a 25 gauge needle. Patients underwent HBO therapy in a hyperbaric chamber where they breathed 100% oxygen for 120min at 2.5 atmospheric pressure. The hearing levels of both groups were evaluated before the salvage therapy and at 3 months after treatment. Improvements in hearing were evaluated according to the Furahashi criteria. We also compared the two therapies in terms of speech discrimination scores (SDSs) and the recovery of all frequencies.

RESULTS

The salvage therapies generated similar results. Changes in pure tone averages and SDSs were similar for ITS and HBO therapy (p=0.364 and p=0.113). Comparison of SDSs and hearing thresholds at all frequencies showed similar levels of improvement.

CONCLUSION

ITS and HBO therapy produced similar improvements in SSNHL patients, but the sample size was too small to draw definitive conclusions. Further randomized controlled studies are needed to identify the best therapy for patients with refractory sudden hearing loss.

Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy a salvage treatment option for sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate of the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a salvage treatment after unsuccessful oral corticosteroid therapy.

METHODS

Case notes of patients who were followed up because of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss between 2005 and 2011 in a tertiary care centre were examined retrospectively. Audiograms from before and after hyperbaric oxygen therapy were examined in terms of mean gains in pure tone average and at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 kHz. In addition, recovery according to Siegel's criteria was noted.

RESULTS

Mean gain in pure tone average was 10.55 ± 13.56 dB. Mean gains at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 kHz were 16.66 ± 18.43 dB, 16.94 ± 19.93 dB, 12.63 ± 16.71 dB, 7.36 ± 15.28 dB, 5.27 ± 11.58 dB and 2.91 ± 12.44 dB, respectively. Three patients had complete recovery, 1 had partial recovery, 5 had slight recovery and 25 had no improvement.

CONCLUSION

Hyperbaric oxygen utilised as a salvage therapy after failed corticosteroid therapy may be beneficial in some patients. Studies with more patients are needed.

Ischemia as a potential etiologic factor in idiopathic unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss: Analysis of posterior circulation arteries

The association between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and the radiologic characteristics of the vertebrobasilar artery is unclear. We hypothesized that the degree and direction of vertebrobasilar artery curvature in the posterior circulation contribute to the occurrence of ISSNHL. We consecutively enrolled patients diagnosed with unilateral ISSNHL in two tertiary hospitals. Magnetic resonance images were performed in all patients to exclude specific causes of ISSNHL, such as vestibular schwannoma, chronic mastoiditis, and anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarct. We measured the following parameters of posterior circulation: vertebral and basilar artery diameter, the degree of basilar artery curvature (modified smoker criteria), and vertebral artery dominance. Pure tone audiometries were performed at admission and again 1 week and 3 months later. A total of 121 ISSNHL patients (mean age, 46.0 ± 17.3 years; 48.8% male) were included in these analyses. The proportion of patients with the left side hearing loss was larger than the proportion with the right side hearing loss (left, 57.9%; right, 42.1%). The majority of patients were characterized by a left dominant vertebral artery and right-sided basilar artery curvature. The direction of the basilar artery curvature was significantly associated with hearing loss lateralization (p = 0.036). Age and sex matched multivariable analyses revealed the absence of diabetes and right-sided basilar artery curvature as significant predictors for left sided hearing loss. There was no statistical difference between atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk score (high versus low) and hearing outcomes at 3 months. In ISSNHL, the laterality of hearing loss was inversely associated with the direction of basilar artery curvature. Our results, therefore, indicate the importance of vascular assessment when evaluating ISSNHL.