Impact of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Recovery in Patients With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: An Observational Study.

Background and objectives: We aimed to assess the efficacy of various treatments for patients experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), with a focus on hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and the effect of HBOT administration timing on hearing recovery.

Subjects and methods: In keeping with guideline recommendations, patients with SSNHL enrolled in this study received systemic corticosteroids, intratympanic dexamethasone, or HBOT in combination or as monotherapy. Hearing thresholds were determined using pure-tone audiometry (dB HL), and recovery was categorized as complete recovery (CR), partial recovery (PR), slight recovery (SR), or no recovery (NR). Post-treatment thresholds were assessed 2-3 months after symptom onset.

Results: After treatment, we observed CR in 16 patients (15.2%), PR in 22 patients (21.0%), SR in 44 patients (42.0%), and NR in 23 patients (22.0%). Notably, among the 79 patients with severe hearing loss (>70 dB), those who received treatment within 2 weeks of onset showed better hearing outcomes than those who started treatment after 2 weeks. In the HBOT group, a shorter interval between symptom onset and HBOT initiation was associated with a higher likelihood of hearing improvement. Importantly, in patients with an initial hearing threshold of <70 dB, initiating HBOT within 2 weeks was associated with statistically significantly higher hearing recovery rates.

Conclusions: The findings of our study support the premise that early initiation of HBOT within 2 weeks of symptom onset results in better hearing recovery in patients with SSNHL.