Electroacupuncture for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Case Report.

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is commonly characterized by severe hearing loss of 30 dB or greater over at least three consecutive frequencies occurring within a 72-h period. Current treatments, depending on the cause, include decompression of tumor-related pressure, administration of anti-infection agents, cessation of ototoxic drugs, neuronutrition, administration of prednisone, and hyperbaric oxygen. Some patients may recover spontaneously, usually within 2 weeks of onset. Here, we present a case that the patient's symptoms improved significantly after treatment with electroacupuncture.

Objective: To report a case of SSNHL treated with electroacupuncture (EA) and to discuss its potential effects on hearing recovery of SSNHL.

Design: A single case report.

Setting: Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shaanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China.

Patients: A patient with SSNHL who experienced a significant decrease in left ear hearing.

Intervention: EA treatment on the affected ear of an SSNHL patient; eight acupoints were divided into four groups (SJ21(Ermen)-GB10(Fubai), SJ19(Tinggong)-GB11(Touqiaoyin), GB2(Tinghui)-SJ17(Yifeng), and GV20(Baihui)- EX-HN3 (Yintang), with each group receiving 30 min of electrical stimulation (2 Hz, continuous wave, alternating current, 2 mA). This treatment was administered five times a week for 2 weeks.

Main outcome measures: Pure-Tone Audiometry.

Results: After 2 weeks of EA treatment, the patient's hearing has improved from severe hearing loss to moderate hearing loss, with a significant improvement in daily communication ability.

Conclusions: Electroacupuncture may be a promising complementary treatment for SSNHL.

Registration and funding: The study was not registered, and no funding was received.