A short time delay before starting treatment (within 10 days), treatment with high doses of steroids and hyperbaric oxygen, preserving complete caloric function of the labyrinths, normal function of the thyroid, and seasonal occurrence of the disease in the spring were positive prognostic factors for hearing recovery in SSNHL.

Recruitment of centers and patients is being strongly encouraged, detailed information is given on www.oxynet.org.

We conclude that hyperbaric oxygen therapy with high doses of glucocorticoids improves the results of conventional sudden sensorineural hearing loss treatment and should be recommended. In addition, the best results are achieved if the treatment is started as early as possible.

The effect of O2 on neuronal excitability measured by CFFF in young healthy men was dose dependent: 0.7 ATA O2 did not affect CFFF; CFFF were significantly jeopardized at 1.4 ATA O2, while CFFF recovered at 2.8 ATA. With 2.8 ATA O2, the CFFF and oxygen poisoning transduction pathways seemed to be intertwined.

No abstract