A PROSPECTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE OTOPROTECTIVE ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANT MULTIVITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION IN SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS

Abstract

BACKGROUND In the general practice of an otolaryngologist, a significant number of patients present with sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL). Vascular compromise and oxidative stress contribute to the development of acquired hearing loss. Our research was formulated to confront the dilemma faced in offering anefficacious therapy to patients with SNHL. METHODS This prospective study was attempted to evaluate the therapeutic effect of antioxidant vitamins (A, C, and E) in SNHL in adult patients. Pre-treatment audiogram served as the baseline. PTA was repeated for all frequencies after antioxidant supplementation at the end of 1 year. Hearing gain was determined relative to each patient's baseline PTA values. Treatment success was based on improvement in PTA values. RESULTS In our study, there was a marginal improvement in the mean PTA values from baseline to postantioxidant treatment values. Though there was no significant gain in hearing among our study population, the further hearing deterioration was believed to be arrested or slowed after supplementation with antioxidants. CONCLUSION Our study suggests the existence of a salient otoprotective role oforal combination of vitamins A, C and E against SNHL. Keywords Hearing impairment; Sensorineural hearing loss; Pure tone audiometry; Vitamins; Antioxidants.