Therapeutic efficacy of methylprednisolone sodium succinate diverse administration routes for mid- to high-frequency sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), characterized by a rapid and unexplained loss of hearing, particularly at moderate to high frequencies, presents a significant clinical challenge. The therapeutic use of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) via different administration routes, in combination with conventional medications, remains a topic of interest.

Aim: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of MPSS administered via different routes in combination with conventional drugs for the treatment of mid- to high-frequency SSNHL.

Methods: The medical records of 109 patients with mid- to high-frequency SSNHL were analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups based on the route of administration: Group A [intratympanic (IT) injection of MPSS combined with mecobalamin and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract injection], Group B (intravenous injection of MPSS combined with mecobalamin and Ginkgo biloba leaf extract injection), and Group C (single IT injection of MPSS). The intervention effects were compared and analyzed.

Results: The posttreatment auditory thresholds in Group A (21.23 ± 3 .34) were significantly lower than those in Groups B (28.52 ± 3.36) and C (30.23 ± 4.21; < 0.05). Group A also exhibited a significantly greater speech recognition rate (92.23 ± 5.34) than Groups B and C. The disappearance time of tinnitus, time to hearing recovery, and disappearance time of vertigo in Group A were significantly shorter than those in Groups B and C ( < 0.05). The total effective rate in Group A (97.56%) was significantly greater than that in Groups B and C (77.14% and 78.79%, = 7.898, = 0.019). Moreover, the incidence of adverse reactions in Groups A and C was significantly lower than that in Group B (4.88%, 3.03% 2.57%, = 11.443, = 0.003), and the recurrence rate in Group A was significantly lower than that in Groups B and C (2.44% 20.00% 21.21%, = 7.120, = 0.028).

Conclusion: IT injection of MPSS combined with conventional treatment demonstrates superior efficacy and safety compared to systemic administration via intravenous infusion and a single IT injection of MPSS. This approach effectively improves patients' hearing and reduces the risk of disease recurrence.