Clinical Application of Hyperbaric Oxygen in Treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is relatively common disease with unknown etiology. Although its etiology is unknown, it is thought to be a common pathway that leads to cochlear ischemia which leads to cochlear damage and hearing loss. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is one of options for the treatment of sudden hearing loss which exposes patient with 1.5-3 fold sea level pressure of 100% oxygen which may reverse the ischemic condition of cochlea. According to previous studies, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is beneficial for restoring hearing level in sudden hearing loss patients especially when it is applied at early stage of onset, young age patient and profound hearing loss. Data from Asan medical center with 29 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss shows 51.7% of good recovery rate after hyperbaric oxygen treatment. This treatment method however, also has minor complications and is very costly, practitioner should consider the cost-benefit before using this method.