Article – 1 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss after failure from oral and intratympanic corticosteroid.
Authors: Imsuwansri T, Poonsap P, Snidvongs K
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): PMID: 22701158 PMCID: PMC3369993
Keywords: Corticosteroid; Hyperbaric oxygen therapy; Sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Abstract: Systemic and intratympanic steroids are most widely used for treating idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Other treatments include vasodilator, immunosuppressant and antiviral medication. However, only 61% of patients achieve full recovery, and controversies about the standard treatment still exist.
Conclusion: In this case report, we present a patient with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss who failed to respond to systemic and intratympanic steroid treatments but subsequently recovered after undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Source URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22701158
Full text URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3369993/
Article – 2 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: Evaluation of hyperbaric oxygen and pharmacological therapy in sudden hearing loss
Authors: Jadczak M, Rapiejko P, Kantor I, Szczygielski K, Usowski J, Piechocki J, Jurkiewicz D.
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): PMID: 18552042
Keywords: Adult, Combined Modality Therapy, Female, Hearing Loss, Sudden/drug therapy, Hearing Loss, Sudden/therapy, Humans, Hyperbaric Oxygenation, Male, Middle Aged, Tinnitus/therapy, Treatment Outcome
Abstract: Treatment of idiopathic sudden hearing loss (SHL) is still a big problem for the otolaryngologists, due to the still unexplained etiopathogenesis of the illness. The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of pharmacotherapy combined with the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss treatment. Patients who received HBO and medical treatment in the Department of Otolaryngology of Military Institute of Health Service and Warsaw Center for Hyperbaric Therapy and Wounds Treatment were studied. Nine patients, with idiopathic sudden hearing loss--patients treated in 2007 year were studied. There were 5 women and 4 men involved in our study--mean age: 41 years old. Patients with sensorineural hearing loss of minimum 15 dB at 0.25-8 kHz and tinnitus were included in the treatment group. Improvement of hearing of minimum 10 dB at 0.25-8 kHz in pure tone audiometry and decrease in the intensity of tinnitus was considered as an improvement.
Results: Statistically significant difference in Pure Tone Audiometry results obtained before and after the treatment was noted in 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 3 kHz, 4 kHz and 8 kHz. Statistically significant difference was noted in 500 Hz, 2 kHz, 3 kHz when treatment was started within 6 days since the acoustic trauma. No side effects of therapy were observed.
Conclusion: 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. Important is to start the therapy quickly after hearing loss.
Source URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18552042
Full text URL:
http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0030-6657/PIIS0030665707705498.pdf
Article – 3 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) in association with combined treatment.
Authors: Holy, R; Navara, M; Dosel, P; Fundova, P; Prazenica, P; Hahn, A
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): Nil
Keywords: Nil
Abstract: The main basic effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO2) on the human body, in our study, was an increased partial pressure of oxygen resulting from an increased amount of oxygen dissolved in plasma. Thus the plasma can become capable of carrying enough oxygen to meet the needs of the body's tissues. From 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2007, a total of 61 patients (62 ears) received medical treatment at the ENT clinic of the 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and at the Central Military Hospital in Prague. Treatment consisted of a combination of vasodilatation infusion treatment and HBO2 therapy. The results were evaluated in a retrospective study. The overall percentage of patients showing improvement was 59.7%. However, for those patients who started HBO2 treatment within 10 days of onset, complete recovery, or significant improvement was noted in 65.9%.
Conclusion: In contrast, patients who started treatment after 10 days of onset, improvement was noted in only 38.9%. NMR examination revealed that two patients had vestibular schwannoma (also known as acoustic neuroma).
Article – 4 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo associated with arterial occlusive disease: three case reports and literature review.
Authors: Castro Junior NP, Almeida CI, Campos CA.
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): PMID: 17923946
Keywords: Nil
Abstract: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo (SSNHLV) has multifactorial causes, of which viral, autoimmune and vascular insufficiency are the most common. The therapeutic management for SSNHLV includes antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, vasodilators, normovolemic hemodilution therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Vertebrobasilar occlusive disease and carotid occlusive disease are seldom related to SSNHLV. Discussions concerning SSNHLV caused by occlusive vascular disease are important and necessary for both neurologists and otolaryngologists, since their therapeutic management and prognosis are very different from other causes of hearing loss and vertigo. Here, we present our experience with three cases managed with interventional treatment and conduct a review and discussion on the relevant literature.
Conclusion: We conclude that investigation of vertebrobasilar and carotid occlusive diseases is necessary in patients over 50 years of age who present SSNHLV, mild neurological symptoms and a history of arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure or thrombosis.
Source URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17923946
Full text URL:
Article – 5 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: The impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on serological values of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).
Authors: Jung S, Wermker K, Poetschik H, Ziebura T, Kleinheinz J.
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): PMID: 21176170 PMCID: PMC3022549
Keywords: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Female, Fibroblast Growth Factor 2/blood, Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/therapy, Humans, Hyperbaric Oxygenation, Male, Middle Aged, Tinnitus/therapy, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/blood
Abstract: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is an effective adjunct treatment for ischemic disorders such as chronic infection or chronic wounds. It combines hyperoxic effects with the stimulating potential of post-therapeutic reactive hypoxia. As its crucial effects, stimulation of fibroblast growth, induction of collagen synthesis and the initiation of angiogenesis are discussed. Angiogenesis is a multistage process resulting in the growth of blood vessels. It includes degradation of extracellular matrix, proliferation and migration of different cell populations and finally formation of new vessel structures. This complex chain of procedures is orchestrated by different cytokines and growth factors. Crucial mediators of angiogenesis are basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); their in-vivo function is still not fully understood. Forty-three patients suffering from sudden sensorineural hearing loss or tinnitus were treated with HBO. The therapy included 10 sessions of 90 minutes each, one session a day. Serological levels of bFGF and VEGF were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays performed according to the manufacturer's instructions on day 1, 2, 5 and 10 of HBO therapy and were compared to mean values of the control group, related to the patient's age and sex, and their development observed over the ten days of HBO.
Results: There was no sex- or age dependency of bFGF observed in the present study, whereas under HBO our results showed a significant mitigation of the bFGF concentration. In the present data, there was no connection between the VEGF concentration and the patients ages. Women showed significantly higher levels of VEGF. There was no significant change of VEGF concentration or the VEGF/bFGF ratio during HBO. All scored results varied within the range of standard values as described in the current literature.
Conclusion: A significant effect of HBO on serum concentrations of bFGF and VEGF was not verified in the present study. Additional application of exogenous growth factors in conjunction with HBO was not obviously linked by a coherent cause-and-effect chain as far as wound healing is concerned.
Source URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21176170
Full text URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3022549/
Article – 6 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: Susac syndrome as a cause of sensorineural hearing loss.
Authors: Cubillana Herrero JD, Soler Valcárcel A, Albaladejo Devis I, Rodríguez González-Herrero B, Minguez Merlos N, Jiménez Cervantes-Nicolás JA.
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): PMID: 12185873
Keywords: Adult, Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use, Aspirin/therapeutic use, Cerebral Infarction/etiology, Cochlea/blood supply, Combined Modality Therapy, Deafness/etiology, Delirium, Dementia, Amnestic, Cognitive Disorders/etiology, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, Fever/etiology, Hallucinations/etiology, Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/etiology, Humans, Hyperbaric Oxygenation, Infarction/complications, Infarction/diagnosis, Infarction/drug therapy, Infarction/therapy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Methylprednisolone/therapeutic use, Microcirculation, Nimodipine/therapeutic use, Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use, Retinal Vessels/pathology, Syndrome, Vision Disorders/etiology
Abstract: Susac's syndrome is an extremely rare clinical manifestation characterized by the triad of fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, sudden visual loss and encephalopathy. Probably underdiagnosed, it affects young women who start the clinical history with headache, visual and hearing disturbances, with neurological findings in MRI. With unknown aetiology, pathogenesis is based on arteriolar microinfarcts in retina, cochlea, and grey and white matter in the brain. Treatment is, as stated in the bibliography and our experience, intravenous high doses of steroids followed by oral steroids together with hyperbaric oxygen to minimize ischaemic lesions.
Conclusion: Aspirin associate to nimodipine has been useful to date in the treatment of our patient. We present a case and review the existing literature.
Source URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12185873
Full text URL:
http://www.elsevier.es/en/linksolver/ft/ivp/0001-6519/53/379
Article – 7 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: Topical insulin-like growth factor 1 treatment using gelatin hydrogels for glucocorticoid-resistant sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a prospective clinical trial.
Authors: Nakagawa T, Sakamoto T, Hiraumi H, Kikkawa YS, Yamamoto N, Hamaguchi K, Ono K, Yamamoto M, Tabata Y, Teramukai S, Tanaka S, Tada H, Onodera R, Yonezawa A, Inui K, Ito J
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): PMID: 21108784 PMCID: PMC3000370
Keywords: Administration, Topical, Adult, Aged, Female, Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use, Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/drug therapy, Humans, Hydrogels/administration & dosage, Hydrogels/adverse effects, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/administration & dosage, Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/adverse effects, Male, Middle Aged, Treatment Outcome
Abstract: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a common condition in which patients lose the hearing in one ear within 3 days. Systemic glucocorticoid treatments have been used as standard therapy for SSHL; however, about 20% of patients do not respond. We tested the safety and efficacy of topical insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) application using gelatin hydrogels as a treatment for SSHL. Patients with SSHL that showed no recovery to systemic glucocorticoid administration were recruited. We applied gelatin hydrogels, impregnated with recombinant human IGF1, into the middle ear. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients showing hearing improvement 12 weeks after the test treatment. The secondary outcome measures were the proportion of patients showing improvement at 24 weeks and the incidence of adverse events. The null hypothesis was that 33% of patients would show hearing improvement, as was reported for a historical control after hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Results: In total, 25 patients received the test treatment at a median of 23 days (range 15-32) after the onset of SSHL, between 2007 and 2009. At 12 weeks after the test treatment, 48% (95% CI 28% to 69%; P = 0.086) of patients showed hearing improvement, and the proportion increased to 56% (95% CI 35% to 76%; P = 0.015) at 24 weeks. No serious adverse events were observed.
Conclusion: Topical IGF1 application using gelatin hydrogels is well tolerated and may be efficacious for hearing recovery in patients with SSHL that is resistant to systemic glucocorticoids.
Source URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21108784
Full text URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3000370/
Article – 8 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of large vestibular aqueduct syndrome
Authors: Furuhashi, A; Sato, E; Nakashima, T; Miura, Y; Nakayama, A; Mori, N; Takahashi, H; Kobayashi, S
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): PMID: 12153147
Keywords: Nil
Abstract: Eight patients with large vestibular aqueduct (LVA) syndrome and acute sensorineural hearing loss that had not responded to intravenous treatment were treated with hyperbaric oxygen(HBO2) therapy. This was performed daily, with 15 treatments per course. Pure tone and speech audiometry were performed on all patients. The mean hearing recovery following HBO2 therapy (20.8 +/- 12.1 dB) was significantly higher than after intravenous treatment (2.3 +/- 7.2 dB) (P < 0.01), although treatment duration was not different between the two therapies. Of the eight patients, five showed complete or partial recovery after one course of HBO2 therapy, and their hearing levels have not since changed. The other three patients showed heating recovery during therapy, but treatment had to be repeated for two or more courses because of progressive or fluctuating hearing loss.
Conclusion: We consider HBO2 therapy should be used to treat acute hearing deterioration associated with LVA syndrome if patients do not recover their hearing ability following conventional treatment.
Article – 9 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for acute noise-induced hearing loss: evaluation of different treatment regimens.
Authors: Lafere, P; Vanhoutte, D; Germonpre, P
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): Nil
Keywords: Nil
Abstract: Impulse noise from firearms is a common cause of acute acoustic trauma (AAT), which is characterized by high-frequency hearing loss and tinnitus. Various treatment modalities have been proposed, some combining medical treatment with hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT) in various ways. We have reviewed the therapeutic effect of primary protocols, with or without HBOT, used in our hospital. Methods: Sixty-eight soldiers for all of whom pre-AAT audiometry tests were available, were treated with one of three different regimens. Group 1 received oral medication only. Group 2 received HBOT twice a day for 3 days then once a day (7 days), combined with intravenous medication (5 days) followed by oral treatment. Group 3 received HBOT once a day and oral medication for 10 days. Medical treatment consisted of methylprednisolone and piracetam in all groups. Control audiometry was performed after 10 days. Average Hearing Gain (AHG) and Average Residual Hearing Loss (ARHL) were calculated.
Results: The mean AHG in Group 1 was +5.58 ± 3.58 dB (mean ± SD); in Group 2 it was +20.62 ± 17.68 dB; and in Group 3 +17.0 ± 14.0 dB (P = 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). The mean ARHL without HBOT was -14.7 ± 8.27 dB (Group 1), and respectively -2.36 ± 10.69 dB (Group 2) and -5.0 ± 8.0 dB (Group 3) in the HBOT groups (P = 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test).
Conclusion: These results indicate a significant benefit for the combination of HBOT and medical therapy over medical treatment alone. Which of the two HBOT regimens is the more effective, remains to be determined.
Article – 10 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: Report of an isolated mid-frequency hearing loss following inner ear barotrauma
Authors: Butler Jr, FK; Thalmann, ED
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): PMID: 6612898
Keywords: Adult *Barotrauma *Diving Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/*etiology Human Labyrinth/*injuries Male
Abstract: A case describing an isolated mid-frequency hearing loss as a result of inner ear barotrauma is presented. The onset of symptoms was insidious but progressed to a profound total-range hearing loss in the right ear. This loss resolved rapidly with cessation of diving activity, bed rest, and head elevation, leaving only an isolated 20-dB hearing decrement at 1000 Hz.
Conclusion: Since the diver was participating in evaluation of experimental decompression tables, differentiation had to be made between barotrauma and inner ear decompression sickness.
Article – 11 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: The absence of hearing loss in otologically asymptomatic recreational scuba divers.
Authors: Taylor, DM; Lippmann, J; Smith, D
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): Nil
Keywords: Nil
Abstract: We undertook a retrospective cohort study of 16 experienced recreational scuba divers and 16 matched non-diver controls to determine the prevalence of hearing loss and, if present, the likely causes of this loss. Each subject was required to be aged 55 years or less and to have no history or likelihood of hearing loss. An audiologist, blinded to each subject's group status, undertook all examinations. There were no significant differences in group demographics. All divers were highly experienced (median number of dives 725). Comparison of mean hearing thresholds (range 250-8000 Hz) revealed no significant differences between divers and non-divers for both air and bone conduction studies. The only exception was at 6000 Hz where the air conduction threshold was significantly higher in divers than in non-divers (p = 0.03). However, there were no significant differences in Pure Tone and High Frequency averages. We conclude that experienced recreational scuba divers do not have elevated hearing threshold levels overall when compared to non-diver controls.
Conclusion: This conclusion differs from that of investigators who have examined the hearing of experienced professional divers. Further investigation is indicated to further investigate this discrepancy and to determine whether the apparent hearing loss among the divers at 6000Hz was an isolated departure from normal hearing thresholds or, in fact, the result of diving.
Article – 12 - Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
Title: Fabry disease presenting with sudden hearing loss and otosclerosis: a case report.
Authors: Felisati G, Salvatici E, Pipolo C, Portaleone S, Riva E, Giovannini M
Digital Object Identifier (or PMID etc): PMID: 22507244 PMCID: PMC3342865
Keywords: Nil
Abstract: Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder resulting in a multiple-system disorder with a wide spectrum of physical signs and symptoms, predominantly affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems, skin, heart, kidneys, and eyes. We describe the case of a 26-year-old European Caucasian man who had Fabry disease and who presented with episodic sudden unilateral hearing loss and was treated with glucocorticoids, pentoxifylline, hyperbaric oxygen, and fluoride because of concomitant audiometric evidence of otosclerosis. This case demonstrates the partial and transient beneficial effect of standard treatment for sudden hearing loss not related to Fabry disease and analyzes the possible connection between typical Fabry disease inner-ear lesions and otosclerosis. Whereas hearing loss has been described in connection with Fabry disease, otosclerosis-associated hearing loss in Fabry disease has not yet been described.
Conclusion: Although progressive hearing loss in patients with Fabry disease seems to be influenced by replacement therapy, few data concerning treatment of sudden hearing loss are available. The lack of literature concerning the pathogenesis of the otological involvement in Fabry disease makes it impossible to identify a connection between the latter and otosclerosis. Therefore, this report may help to reinforce the importance of a thorough evaluation of hearing in patients with Fabry disease and may be of help with therapeutic decision-making.
Source URL:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22507244
Full text URL: