Treatment Management of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients: Timing and Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Intervention

Background: The Chinese guidelines for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) (published 2015) do not recommend hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) as a routine treatment option. The objective is to investigate the timing and efficacy of HBO in the treatment of SSNHL by a retrospective study. Methods: The 398 patients with unilateral SSNHL were assigned to 6 groups according to the onset symptoms to initial treatment within (14−) or over 14 days (14+), and treatment type (medicine alone or combined with HBO). Using Pure Tone Average (PTA) threshold to evaluate the efficacy of treatment by HBO after 2, 4, and 12 weeks. Results: The efficacy rate in treatment was statistically different between the single medicine and combined with HBO in the 14− and 14+ groups (respectively, 53.01% and 67.95%,P < .05; 35.37% and 50.35%, P < .05), while the change in PTA of the combined with HBO 14− group or single HBO was significantly more favorable than the 14+ group or Observer group (P < .01, .01). Conclusion: Early use of HBO alone or in combination with medicines can achieve better therapeutic effects in SSNHL.Cite this article as: Yang S, Zuo QW, He L, Zhong XS. Treatment management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients: Timing and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen intervention. Balkan ORL-HNS 2025;2(2):45-49.