Effect of corticosteroid-based combination therapy on sudden deafness: a retrospective study

Objectives

Systemic corticosteroid therapy is widely recommended as the first-line treatment for sudden deafness(SD). However, the factors influencing treatment outcomes remain uncertain, and the efficacy of corticosteroid-based combination therapies is still controversial. Aim of this study is to declare the impact of treatment initiation time, patient age and evaluate the combined therapies including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), batroxobin, and acupuncture on treatment outcome.

Methods

248 SD patients undergoing corticosteroid-based combination therapy were included and classified into four subtypes. Additionally, 17 patients who received remedial intratympanic corticosteroid (ICT) were analyzed. Improvement of hearing and accompanying symptoms (vertigo/tinnitus) was evaluated to indicate the effectiveness of treatment.

Results

Early-stage treatment (≤7 days) and younger patients (<18 years) were associated with better outcomes(P < 0.05). For combined therapies, batroxobin and acupuncture showed no significant effect on treatment outcomes(P > 0.05). In contrast, patients receiving HBOT exhibited worse hearing improvement in total deafness and low-frequency descending subtypes(P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Early-stage treatment should be emphasized for patients with SD, particularly in young patients. Combined therapies, especially HBOT, cannot improve prognosis. Remedial ICT can further improved outcomes in SD patients with total deafness subtype who responded poorly to systemic corticosteroid therapy.