Effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in management of sudden hearing loss.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of sudden hearing loss.


METHODS
Patients with sudden hearing loss were divided into study and control groups. The 36 patients in the study group were treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to standard medical therapy, whereas the 21 patients in the control group were treated with only standard medical therapy.


METHODS
Both groups were treated with standard therapy, comprising prednisolone starting at a dose of 1 mg/kg and reducing over three weeks. Patients in the study group received hyperbaric oxygen therapy in addition to standard drug therapy.


RESULTS
Success rates were 78.95 per cent in the study group and 71.30 per cent in the control group. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the cost of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its inconvenience to patients, this treatment should only be considered in patients suffering sudden hearing loss if there are contraindications to standard medical treatment.
Cekin
E
E
Department of Otolaryngology, Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Istanbul, Turkey. iecekin@yahoo.com
Cincik
H
H
Ulubil
S A
SA
Gungor
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone