Therapy For Sudden Hearing Loss Research Articles

Role of intratympanic glucocorticoid treatment in sudden hearing loss

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is one of the most common diseases in otolaryngology. Its etiology remains unknown. Furthermore, there is only alow level of evidence for the efficacy of established treatment modalities. In addition to systemic glucocorticoids, intratympanic corticosteroid treatment (ICT) has become increasingly important for treatment of ISSNHL. Different application strategies and treatment regimens have been described; however, uniform standards do not yet exist. ICT may be used for primary treatment as well as salvage therapy. Current data from meta-analyses show no benefit of intratympanic versus systemic primary therapy for sudden hearing loss (moderate evidence) but suggest abenefit of intratympanic secondary treatment over no treatment or placebo (high effect size, low evidence). Regarding combination of systemic and local glucocorticoid therapy in primary treatment of hearing loss, there may be asmall benefit over systemic treatment alone (low effect size, low evidence).

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden hearing loss in enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome: A case report and review of literature

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden hearing loss in enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome: A case report and review of literature

Indications of Effective Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Combined With Steroid Therapy for Sudden Hearing Loss.

This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) combined with steroid therapy to treat sudden hearing loss and examined the index associated with excellent therapeutic effect. We included 109 patients with sudden hearing loss. Patients were divided into the HBOT combination group (59 sides) treated with HBOT and steroid therapy and HBOT noncombination group (50 sides) involving steroid therapy only. The recovery rate of each group was compared according to the severity of hearing loss. Blood samples were evaluated and inflammatory markers, such as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were calculated and compared by severity. We evaluated the usefulness of inflammatory markers for predicting recovery rate, and calculated cutoff values were also evaluated. The HBOT combination group exhibited a higher overall recovery rate than the HBOT noncombination group, particularly in severe cases. However, there was no significant difference in the severity of hearing loss based on various inflammatory markers. NLR and PLR are useful for predicting the effect in patients treated with concomitant HBOT. By setting 2.43 and 146.67 as cutoff values for NLR and PLR, respectively, we observed that lower values resulted in better recovery rates. The use of HBOT is effective for severe cases and early blood flow disorders with low NLR and PLR and less inflammation. When determining treatment, not only should the severity of hearing loss be considered, but also the NLR and PLR should be evaluated and examined based on the cutoff values.

Safety and audiological outcome in a case series of tertiary therapy of sudden hearing loss with a biodegradable drug delivery implant for controlled release of dexamethasone to the inner ear.

BackgroundIntratympanic injections of glucocorticoids have become increasingly common in the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). However, due to their fast elimination, sustained applications have been suggested for local drug delivery to the inner ear.Materials and methodsThe study is based on a retrospective chart review of patients treated for ISSHL at a single tertiary (university) referral center. We included patients who were treated with a solid, biodegradable, poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based drug delivery system providing sustained delivery of dexamethasone extracochlear into the round window niche (n = 15) or intracochlear into scala tympani (n = 2) for tertiary therapy of ISSHL in patients without serviceable hearing after primary systemic and secondary intratympanic glucocorticoid therapy. We evaluated the feasibility and safety through clinical evaluation, histological examination, and functional tests [pure-tone threshold (PTA), word recognition scores (WRS)].ResultsWith adequate surgical preparation of the round window niche, implantation was feasible in all patients. Histologic examination of the material in the round window niche showed signs of resorption without relevant inflammation or foreign body reaction to the implant. In patients where the basal part of scala tympani was assessable during later cochlear implantation, no pathological findings were found. In the patients with extracochlear application, average preoperative PTA was 84.7 dB HL (SD: 20.0) and 76.7 dB HL (SD: 16.7) at follow-up (p = 0.08). The preoperative average maximum WRS was 14.6% (SD: 17.9) and 39.3% (SD: 30.7) at follow-up (p = 0.11). Six patients (40%), however, reached serviceable hearing. The two patients with intracochlear application did not improve.ConclusionThe extracochlear application of the controlled release system in the round window niche and – based on limited observations - intracochlear implantation into scala tympani appears feasible and safe. Due to the uncontrolled study design, conclusions about the efficacy of the treatment are limited. These observations, however, may encourage the initiation of prospective controlled studies using biodegradable controlled release implants as drug delivery systems for the treatment of inner ear diseases.

Round Window Niche Drilling with Intratympanic Steroid Is a Salvage Therapy of Sudden Hearing Loss

Objective: To explore the effectiveness and safety of round window niche drilling combined with intratympanic methylprednisolone injection for the salvage treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and its associated tinnitus after failed primary treatment. Method: SSNHL patients who showed a less than 10-dB improvement of pure-tone average after receiving standard systemic treatment and intratympanic steroid injection were enrolled. All included patients were randomly divided into two groups (control and study). Patients in the study group received round window niche drilling combined with daily intratympanic methylprednisolone for 7 times; the control group received only daily intratympanic methylprednisolone for 7 times. One month after treatment, the improvements of PTA, speech discrimination score (SDS), tinnitus and the incidence of adverse events were analyzed. Results: 20 patients (10 for each group) were included in this study. The baseline between two groups showed no statistical significance. Patients in the study group experienced an average hearing improvement of 20.38 dB, SDS 19.3 compared with 2.1 dB and SDS 2.0 in the control group. None (0%) in the control group and 4 patients (40%) showed marked recovery, 5 patients (50%) showed slight improvement of hearing in the study group after 1 month. All patients in the study group showed significant recovery of tinnitus. Both tinnitus handicap inventory and a symptom visual analogue scale between two groups revealed statistical differences (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). None in the control and study groups experienced vertigo, infection and facial paralysis. Conclusion: Round window niche drilling increases the contact area and time of methylprednisolone. It is an effective and safe salvage therapy of idiopathic SSNHL and its induced tinnitus.

A randomized controlled clinical trial of acoustic resonance combined with systemic steroid therapy for sudden hearing loss

Objective:To study the short-term and long-term therapeutic effect of acoustic resonance combined with systemic steroid therapy in treatment of Sudden hearing loss (SHL).Method:Clinical data of 128 patients with SHL were analyzed in the randomized controlled trial. Patients were divided into study group (68 cases) and control group (60 cases). Patients in control group received steroid therapy and conventional drug therapy, while study group received acoustic resonance therapy combined with systemic steroid therapy and conventional drug therapy.Result:The total effective rate of study group and control group was 66.18% and 65.00% respectively at the end of treatment; the total effective rate of study group and control group was 72.06% and 70.00% 4 weeks after treatment; the total efficiency of study group and control group was 73.53% and 68.33% respectively 8 weeks after treatment. The total effective rate of study group was not significantly higher than that of the control group in the three periods (P> 0.05). But the PTA significantly improved in study group 4 weeks and 8 weeks after treatment [(43.87±16.73)dB, (40.96±17.11)dB], while the PTA of control group is (50.89±18.41)dB, (48.93±17.84)dB (P< 0.05), and no serious adverse events were happened during treatments and after treatments.Conclusion:Acoustic resonance combined with systemic steroid therapy can significantly improve the therapeutic effect of SHL with no obvious side effects, which is worth clinical promotion.

Hearing Changes After Intratympanically Applied Steroids for Primary Therapy of Sudden Hearing Loss: A Meta-analysis Using Mathematical Simulations of Drug Delivery Protocols.

Controlled and uncontrolled studies with primary intratympanic or combined intratympanic and systemic application of glucocorticosteroids for idiopathic sudden hearing loss were analyzed by means of a meta-analysis in an attempt to establish optimal local drug delivery protocols. A total of 25 studies with 28 treatment groups between January 2000 and June 2014 were selected that adequately described drug delivery protocols. Cochlear drug levels were calculated by a validated computer model of drug dispersion in the inner ear fluids based on the concentration and volume of glucocorticoids applied, the time the drug remained in the middle ear, and the specific timing of injections. Various factors were compared with hearing outcome, including baseline data, individual parameters of the application protocols, calculated peak concentration (Cmax), and total dose (area under the curve). There was no dependence of hearing outcome on individual parameters of the application protocol, Cmax, or area under the curve. Final hearing threshold was notably independent of delay of treatment. During primary intratympanic or combined steroid therapy of idiopathic sudden hearing loss, the tendency toward early treatment having a positive effect on hearing improvement is thought to be a "sham effect," likely related to spontaneous recovery. Change in pure-tone average may not be an adequate outcome parameter to assess effectiveness of the intervention, as it depends on the degree of initial hearing loss. Final pure-tone average provides a better alternative.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Sudden Hearing Loss after Failure of Intratympanic and Oral Corticosteroid Therapy

Objectives: Determine the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) after unsuccessful treatment with oral and intratympanic corticosteroids. The current treatment for ISSHL remains controversial. Systemic and intratympanic steroids are usually prescribed; unfortunately, only 61% of patients achieve full recovery. Recently, hyperbaric oxygen therapy has emerged as a new possible treatment. Methods: Case series at a secondary care center. Patients were included from March 2013 to July 2013. Inclusion criteria: age &gt;18 years, failure to systemic and intratympanic corticosteroids. Ten sessions of HBOT were conducted, 60 minutes each, at 2 atmospheres. All patients underwent audiometry before and after treatment. Pure tone average (PTA) was defined as the average of the frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Results: We included 4 female patients, mean age 51 years. The mean time from onset of illness to HBOT was 108.75 days. Initial mean PTA was 55.31 dB, final PTA was 54.6875 dB ( P = .958). Mean hearing gain was 0.625 dB. One patient had complete hearing recovery, 2 patients slight improvement (recovery of 3.75 dB), and 1 patient worsened. Two patients reported subjective improvement of dizziness. Although hearing gain was observed at low frequencies in 2 patients (25 dB and 20 dB), no statistical significance was achieved ( P = .817). No complications were reported. Conclusions: The use of HBOT in patients who fail steroid therapy did not demonstrate a beneficial hearing effect in ISSHL patients. However, symptoms such as dizziness improved subjectively. More studies are needed to corroborate our results.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome

We report the first use in Australia of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden hearing loss following head trauma in a child with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome. A 12-year-old boy with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome presented with significant hearing loss following head trauma. He was treated with steroids and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, with good improvement of hearing thresholds on audiography. This case represents the first reported use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for this indication in Australia, following a few previous reports of patients in Japan. We review the literature on management of acute sensorineural hearing loss in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome. The reported case demonstrates a potentially beneficial therapy for a rare condition that usually results in an inevitable decline in hearing. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be tolerated well by children, and may represent a potential treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in patients with large vestibular aqueduct syndrome.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy with short duration intratympanic steroid therapy for sudden hearing loss

Conclusion: The excellent tolerability of intratympanic (IT) steroid offers the possibility to use a high dose, which would appear to be more effective than intravenous (IV) steroid treatment, when both are associated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess for the first time the efficacy of the association of IT steroid and HBO therapy in patients presenting idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL), comparing this protocol with another consisting of IV steroid administration and HBO therapy. Methods: A total of 48 patients presenting ISSNHL were recruited. Patients were divided into two categories: the severe ISSNHL group with a pure-tone average (PTA) between 70 and 90 dB, and the profound ISSNHL group with a PTA >90 dB. The first protocol consisted of 10 days of HBO therapy together with IV methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg body weight for 7 days; the second protocol consisted of HBO therapy for 10 days, associated with an IT injection of prednisolone at a dose of 62.5 mg/ml, once a day for 3 consecutive days, performed 2 h before the HBO therapy. Results: The overall success rate was superior in the group submitted to IT steroid and HBO therapy. Nevertheless, these clinical results were not statistically significant.

Intratympanale Glukokortikoidtherapie bei Hörsturz

In addition to the intratympanic application of gentamycin for the therapy of Meniere's disease, therapy of sudden hearing loss with glucocorticoids has received steadily growing interest especially in the last 15 years. Various aspects favor local therapy of inner ear diseases, such as bypassing of the blood-labyrinth barrier and achieving higher inner ear drug levels. However, for local application special pharmacokinetic aspects must be taken into consideration in comparison to systemic application. Among the rapidly growing number of reports on local therapy of sudden hearing loss there are, however, only few which included control groups and an even fewer number of prospective randomized clinical studies. The case series and clinical studies differ in the glucocorticoid studied, the application system used and the mode of application as primary therapy or as secondary therapy following unsuccessful systemic application. Although both the number of clinical studies with sufficient quality as well as the total number of patients treated in the published studies are still low, intratympanic application of glucocorticosteroids seems in principal to be a good approach for secondary therapy of patients following unsuccessful systemic treatment.

Almost Cynical

The information that sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss does not need to be treated as a medical emergency is very helpful for primary care physicians in private practice, because this renders immediate referral to ear, nose, and throat doctors or immediate inpatient admission unnecessary. The pathophysiology and therapy of sudden hearing loss are not known, but to conclude on the basis of doctors’ ignorance of the subject that treatment should be categorized as an individual health service (paid for by patients themselves) seems almost cynical to me, especially as the author emphasized earlier how negatively unilateral hearing loss affects the lives of those who experience it. The article was lacking information on the course of the pathology with or without treatment. In order to offer therapeutic options to patients, patients with sudden hearing loss will have to be informed about the course of the disease. How common is spontaneous remission, for example? Maybe the author might provide some relevant information now?

Effect of Stellate Ganglion Blockade as a Therapy for Sudden Hearing Loss

Effect of Stellate Ganglion Blockade as a Therapy for Sudden Hearing Loss

突発性難聴に対する高気圧酸素療法の効果―１次，２次治療別検討―

This retrospective study included 256 cases with sudden hearing loss treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) in our hospital from 2000 to 2006 (57 primary cases with intravenous steroid administrations, and 199 secondary cases after insufficient effects of initial steroid therapy). Hearing thresholds were ascertained at frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000Hz using pure-tone audiometry. To establish the indication of secondary HBO therapy for the treatment of sudden hearing loss, several prognostic factors including initial average hearing thresholds, age, intervals between the onset and beginning of HBO treatment, and the presence or absence of vertigo at onset were evaluated between primary and secondary cases. Although the HBO effects in the secondary were poorer than those in primary cases, one third of the secondary cases indicated hearing threshold gains of over 10dB. Regardless of an age over 60 years, the presence of vertigo, and/or poor initial average hearing levels, HBO is considered to be an effective choice for secondary therapy of sudden hearing loss in patients within 8 weeks after onset.

Immunohistochemical Localization of Cyclooxygenase Isoforms in the Organ of Corti and the Spiral Ganglion Cells of Guinea Pig Cochlea

Prostaglandins have been used in experimental models and clinical studies for the therapy of sudden hearing loss and tinnitus with conflicting results. However, little is known about the rate-limiting enzymes of prostaglandin synthesis in the inner ear, the generally constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and the distress-inducible cycloxygenase 2 (COX-2). To extend our knowledge concerning the physiological expression and localization of these two enzymes, immunohistochemical stainings of the guinea pig cochlea were performed. Light microscopical analysis revealed a homogenous distribution of COX-1 within nearly all cell types of the organ of Corti, but no COX-1 expression in the cuticular plates of pillar cells. COX-2 was found to be expressed in all cell types, with much stronger expression in Hensen cells, neighboring Deiters cells and cuticular plates of outer hair cells. Both COX-1 and COX-2 immunoreactions were also found in the spiral ganglion. We conclude that both COX subtypes are expressed in the guinea pig cochlea under physiological conditions. The prominent expression of the distress-inducible COX-2 isoform in cell types under mechanical stress during noise reception might support the hypothesis of a cytoprotective function of COX products in hearing and in cellular stress situations like intense noise exposure.

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Heparin‐Induced Extracorporeal Low‐Density Lipoprotein Precipitation Apheresis: A New Therapeutic Concept in the Treatment of Sudden Hearing Loss

Vascular events, immunological processes, and viral infections have to be considered as pathomechanisms for most cases of sudden hearing loss (SHL). In order to clarify predisposing conditions for vascular events. hemorheological parameters have been studied in 53 patients suffering from SHL within 5 days of onset, along with a control group. The striking result was a significantly elevated level of plasma fibrinogen leading to a significantly increased erythrocyte aggregation and plasma viscosity. No significant difference could be found in all other parameters of clinical chemistry, hematology, and hemostasis. These results encouraged us to use heparin-induced extracorporeal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) precipitation (HELP) apheresis, which acutely and drastically reduces LDL. fibrinogen, and lipoprotein (a) in the treatment of patients suffering from sudden hearing loss and hyperfibrinogenemia or hypercholesterolemia. In a pilot study including 30 patients, we found a better recovery of hearing in the patients treated with a single HELP apheresis when compared to conventional treatment for 10 days with prednisolone and dextranes. Currently, we verify these results in a larger multicenter trial in patients regardless of their fibrinogen or LDL levels. In the future, there will be different specific treatments of sudden hearing loss based on the different pathomechanisms. The clinical impression and first controlled data make it likely that HELP apheresis is useful in the therapy of sudden hearing loss with suspected vascular origin.

Hemoconcentration as a possible pathogenic factor of sudden hearing loss.

Hemodilution is considered to be a useful therapy for sudden hearing loss by improving cochlear blood flow (COBF) as a result of decreasing viscosity of the whole blood. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate whether hemoconcentration actually leads to a diminished COBF and impaired function of the cochlea to thus play a role in the pathogenesis of sudden hearing loss. Ten New Zealand White rabbits were anesthetized and ventilated. Cochlear function was evaluated by measuring distortion products of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) at the beginning of each experiment and after 120 min. In the interim, each test animal's hematocrit was raised by an infusion of packed red cells. Control animals were not infused, so hematocrits were left unchanged. Reproducibility of DPOAE measurements were found to be dependent upon the stimulus level. Correlation coefficients were 0.83 for 65 dB SPL and 0.78 for 45 dB SPL. Although no changes in the absolute level of DPOAEs were observed after raising the hematocrit, correlation coefficients were diminished to 0.68 at 65 dB SPL and 0.58 at 45 dB SPL. Hemoconcentration caused no apparent changes in the cochlear function in our animals. Although these findings may reflect species differences, hemoconcentration might still be a factor causing sudden hearing loss in older, atherosclerotic patients.

Ginkgoextrakt EGb 761 (Tebonin®/HAES versus Naftidrofuryl (Dusodril®)HAES.* Eine randomisierte Studie zur Hörsturztherapie

80 patients with idiopathic sudden hearing loss existing no longer than 10 days were included in a randomised reference-controlled study. The therapeutic value of Ginkgo EGb 761 (Tebonin) + HAES was compared to that of Naftidrofuryl (Dusodril)+HAES. The main mechanisms of action of EGb 761 are a vasoregulating activity (increased blood flow), the platelet activating factor antagonism and a prevention of membrane damage caused by free radicals. Naftidrofuryl has antiserotonergic and therefore vasodilatory properties. The statistical analysis of the audiometric data was performed in measuring the relative hearing gain as described by Eibach 1979. After one week of observation, 40% of the patients in each group showed a complete remission of hearing loss. This was also observed by other authors who had compared other drugs. Therefore, in these cases, it is most likely that spontaneous recovery is the most important factor. After two and three weeks of observation, measuring the relative hearing gain, there was a significant borderline benefit of EGb 761 (p = 0.06) without any side effects. Some patients of the reference group developed side effects such as orthostatic dysregulation or headache or sleep disturbances. Minimising side effects should be one of the most important goals in therapy of sudden hearing loss until the efficiency of infusion therapy is proved.

Priapism: An unusual complication of heparin therapy for sudden deafness

Two cases of priapism occurring during heparin therapy for sudden hearing loss are reported. The association of anticoagulants and priapism is increasingly recognized. Literature studying possible mechanisms of the role of heparin in priapism is reviewed.