[Effectiveness of pharmacologic therapy combined with hyperbaric oxygen in sensorineural hearing loss following acute acoustic trauma. Preliminary report].
Exposure to loud sounds can cause acute acoustic trauma and permanent sensorineural hearing loss. The aim of the study was to evaluate effectiveness of pharmacological treatment combined with the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss following acute acoustic trauma for patients treated in the Department of Otolaryngology of Military Institute of Health Service and Warsaw Center for Hyperbaric Therapy and Wounds Treatment.


METHODS
Group of 12 patients (22 damaged ears) with acute acoustic trauma (10 men and 2 women), 16-67 years of age, mean age 28 years, was involved in our study. Patients with tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss of minimum 15 dB at 0.25-8 kHz were included in the treatment group. Hearing gain of minimum 10 dB at 0.25-8 kHz and decrease in the intensity of tinnitus was considered as an improvement. 4 days was the mean time interval between acoustic trauma and starting the pharmacological treatment, 7 days was the mean time interval for the hyperbaric oxygen therapy commencement.


RESULTS
Statistically significant difference in Pure Tone Audiometry results obtained before and after the treatment was noted in 4 kHz when considering all damaging factors that caused acoustic trauma and in 6 kHz only for damage resulting form shooting. Statistically significant difference was noted in 6 kHz if the HBO therapy was continued over 10 days (p < 0.00001). Statistically significant difference was noted in 4, 6, 8 kHz when treatment was started within 5 days since the acoustic trauma (p < 0.000001).


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the unique method of increasing concentration of oxygen in the inner ear fluids thus facilitates the regeneration process. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with steroids is an effective method of sensorineural hearing loss treatment following acute acoustic trauma.
Winiarski
Michał
M
Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny, Klinika Otolaryngologii CSK MON, Warszawie. miechwin@wp.pl
Kantor
Ireneusz
I
Smereka
Jacek
J
Jurkiewicz
Dariusz
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones