Treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

Objective: To pool and meta-analyze the results of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). Data Sources: A MEDLINE search and hand search were conducted to identify RCTs published between January 1966 and February 2006 in the English language on the treatment of SSHL. Search terms included hearing loss, sensorineural (MeSH term), sensorineural hearing loss (text words), and sudden deafness (text words). Study Selection: Prospective RCTs on the treatment of patients diagnosed as having sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Data Extraction: A meta-analysis using the random effects model was conducted when data existed for 2 or more studies. Odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and tests for heterogeneity were reported.

The Prevention of Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Children

“…This issue has been controversial for some decades, and very recent discussion continues with an editorial by Piccirillo in JAMA [44]. Commenting on studies comparing oral versus transtympanic steroid administration, he concludes that the recent work “does not answer the lingering question of whether there is any benefit of steroids for the patient with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.” This conclusion is similar to that from a systematic review [45], a meta-analysis [46], and a Cochrane review [47]. Theoretically, it is possible that steroid treatment immediately (within minutes) after cochlear trauma could achieve some reduction in secondary damage, but this is rarely the situation clinically.…”

Intratympanic steroid delivery by an indwelling catheter in refractory severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss

“…On the other hand, everyone might agree with the criticism about the design of most clinical studies on SSHL expressed by some Authors [2] and also our preliminary results, although promising, are biased by the limited number of patients. For this reason, we believe that large pool of patients must be collected, to be included in strictly randomized, prospective, controlled studies.…”

Effect of Constraint-Induced Music Therapy in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

“…[ 18 19 ] In addition, the combination of the steroid with other drugs did not prove effective in ISSNHL (antiviral with steroid therapy versus placebo with steroid therapy). [ 20 ] In our current review, studies also showed quite good results with corticosteroid alone after 4 weeks. [ 10 ]…”