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.

Study Design: 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.

Subjects And 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.