Frequency-specific efficacy of intratympanic steroid on idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Background: Hearing recovery would be different in each sound frequency in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Aims/objectives: To analyze frequency-specific efficacy of intratympanic steroid on ISSNHL.

Materials and methods: Of a total of 381 patients with ISSNHL (hearing threshold ≥40?dB; ≤30?days until treatment), 174 patients (174 ears) received systemic steroid plus hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO group), and 207 patients (208 ears) received systemic plus intratympanic steroid (IT group). Hearing thresholds at 125–8000?Hz were measured at every octave before and after treatment.

Results: % of patients with hearing gains ≥10?dB in the IT group was significantly higher for 500?Hz and the average of 5 mid-frequencies, tended to be higher for 1000?Hz, but was significantly lower for 8000?Hz, compared to the HBO group. Multiple regression analysis showed that hearing recovery was negatively correlated with patients’ age for 125/2000/4000/8000?Hz and with days from onset to treatment for all frequencies, and also revealed better hearing recovery at 500/1000?Hz in the IT group than in the HBO group.

Conclusions: Intratympanic steroid is more effective than hyperbaric oxygen to yield better hearing outcomes at mid-frequencies and would be advantageous to restore sound/speech perception.

Significance: Superiority of intratympanic steroid over hyperbaric oxygen for treating ISSNHL was verified.     

Intratympanic methylprednisolone administration promotes the recovery of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a retrospective case-control study

Abstract

Background: Efficacy of current treatment methods in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is still unsatisfactory.

Objective: This study aimed to discover in differences in effect between steroid applications responsible for promoting the prognosis in ISSNHL.

Materials and methods: A study was conducted to diagnose ISSNHL patients in our hospital from January 2014 to September 2016. All patients accepted treatments including intravenous injection (intravenous dexamethasone, [IV DXM]), intratympanic injection (intratympanic methylprednisolone [IT MP], intratympanic dexamethasone [IT DXM]) or combined injections with steroids (IV?+?IT DXM). Patients were divided into groups according to treatment outcomes and clinical characteristics of each group were compared for univariate comparison. Logistic regression was utilized to verify screening factors from univariate comparison for exclude biases.

Results: There were 313 patients with ISSNHL enrolled in the study. Logistic regression verified that vertigo (p?=?.023), severity of hearing loss (p=.969), pattern of hearing loss (p?=?.03), and the treatment method (p?<?.001) were statistically related to the patients’ prognosis based on the condition all biases had been excluded as possible. IT MP showed a better prognosis of hearing improvement compared to treatment with IT DXM (OR?=?0.5), IV DXM (OR =0.226), and IV DXM?+?IV DXM (OR?=?0.320).

Conclusions and significance: IT MP treatment could be utilized as initial treatment in ISSNHL and might promote outcomes.     

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: Effectiveness of salvage treatment with low-dose intratympanic dexamethasone

Objectives:To evaluate hearing outcome of salvage treatment with intratympanic steroids(ITS)in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss(ISSNHL)refractory to initial systemic steroid(SS)therapy.Material and methods:A retrospective medical chart review was conducted on 54 consecutive patients with ISSNHL refractory to SS.Salvage treatment with a low dose intratympanic dexamethasone(4 mg/ml)was offered after one week of primary treatment.Patients were divided into two groups:25 patients accepted ITS(treatment group)and 29 patients did not undergo additional treatment(control group).A pure tone average(PTA)gain of at least 10 dB was considered hearing improvement.Results:Hearing improvement rate was higher in ITS group compared to control group(40%vs.13.8%,p=0.035).A mean PTA improvement of 8.6±9.8 dB was observed in the ITS group and,whereas the control group had an average hearing gain of 0.7±2 dB(p<0.001).Audiometric analysis revealed a significant hearing gain in ITS group at all tested frequencies compared to control group(p<0.05).Analysis of the selected variables,identified intratympanic steroid treatment as the only independent prognostic factor for hearing improvement(OR=4.2,95%CI:1.1e15.7;p=0.04).Conclusion:Intratympanic low dose dexamethasone is effective in patients with incomplete hearing recovery after primary systemic steroid treatment.     

Intratympanic steroids for combined treatment of idiopathic sudden hearing loss: when is it too late?

Background: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) requires early treatment.

Objective: To describe our experience on intratympanic steroid treatment (ITS) of ISSNHL analyzing the delay to start therapy as prognostic factor.

Material and methods: We perform a retrospective study on ISSNHL treated with systemic steroids without full recovery on PTA (pure tone average) according to Siegel criteria. They were divided into two different groups: one group that additionally received ITS as combined therapy (treatment group), and another without it (control group). We analyzed the hearing recovery at 6 months and 2 years, and the influence of the delay to start ITS in the recovery.

Results: After ITS was added, further complete recovery was achieved in 10 patients of the treatment group. After 6 months, PTA improvement in the treatment group was 10.84?dB, compared to 1.13?dB in the control group (p<.0001). Nevertheless, patients starting such combination of oral steroids and ITS within 8 days of diagnosis had an additional gain of 15?dB in the first 6 months, that increased to 19.17?dB after 24 months (p<.022).

Conclusions: When ITS was added within the first 8 days, a significantly better and more stable response was obtained.     

鼓室内注射治疗难治性突发性耳聋52例

目的 探讨鼓室内注射激素作为难治性突发性耳聋的补救治疗措施的临床疗效。方法 重度及极重度突发性耳聋患者96例,接受常规治疗加全身应用激素2周效果不佳,其中52例接受鼓室注射激素,另外44例拒绝鼓室内注射而继续口服药物治疗。纯音测听法(PTA)检测患者补救治疗前后听力,比较气导听阈(0.5、1.0、2.0、4.0 kHz四个频率气导之平均值),分析两组患者补救治疗前后听力结果。结果 鼓室注射组听力提高10 dB以上的患者16例,有效率为30.8%;而对照组仅有3例,有效率为6.8%。两组听力改善值之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论 鼓室内激素注射对突发性耳聋常规治疗无效的患者有良好的疗效,可以作为一种补救治疗措施。     

Should air travel be avoided shortly after an idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss?

Abstract

Introduction: The effect of air travel on the recovery rate after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) has not been established. The advice to avoid flights is essentially based upon conjecture.

Objectives: To analyze the recovery rate of patients who traveled by air shortly after they were treated for ISSNHL.

Materials and methods: The hospital records of 115 newly diagnosed adult patients with unilateral ISSNHL were retrospectively collected. Included were patients who traveled by air within 90?days since the ISSNHL occurrence. The treatment protocol included oral prednisone and intratympanic dexamethasone injection when indicated. Audiograms performed upon presentation and 90?days later were compared.

Results: Twelve patients were included (median age 45.5?years). The median treatment delay was 3?days. The average time from the ISSNHL to air-travel was 37?days, and the average air-travel distance was 13,362?km. The degree of HL was moderate, moderately severe, and severe (4 patients each). Seven patients (58%) underwent full recovery. No patients experienced further deterioration of their audiometric results after air-travel.

Conclusions: This study does not support the avoidance of air-travel after ISSNHL.

Significance: This study is the first to investigate the effect of air-travel on ISSNHL recovery rates, a clinical question that rises commonly.     

Hyperbaric oxygen and steroid therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

In our controlled retrospective analysis of medical records in tertiary care academic medical center, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy combined with steroid administration for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) in comparison with that of steroid administration alone. Our subjects were 130 consecutive inpatients with ISSNHL (hearing levels ≥40 dB; time from the onset of hearing loss to the start of treatment ≤30 days). Sixty-seven patients underwent HBO plus steroid therapy (HBO group), and 63 were given steroids alone (steroid group). Hearing recovery was evaluated by grade assessment and by the improvement in hearing compared to that in the unaffected contralateral ear. The cure rate and hearing improvement rate were not statistically different between the two groups; however, the recovery rate was significantly higher in the HBO group than in the steroid group (59.7% vs. 39.7%; P < 0.05). With regard to patients with initial hearing levels of ≥80 dB, the hearing improvement rate was significantly higher in the HBO group than in the steroid group (51.1 ± 7.0% vs. 27.1 ± 7.8%; P < 0.05), while in patients whose initial hearing levels were <80 dB, hearing outcomes were not statistically different between the two groups. In both the HBO and steroid groups, patients with initial hearing levels of <80 dB showed a better hearing improvement rate than those with initial hearing levels of ≥80 dB. In conclusion HBO therapy shows a significant additional effect in combination with steroid therapy for ISSNHL, particularly in patients with severe hearing loss.     

Prostaglandin E1 versus steroid in combination with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a controlled retrospective analysis of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) in order to investigate the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) plus hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in comparison with that of steroid plus HBO therapy. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six consecutive patients with ISSNHL (hearing levels > or ==40dB; time from the onset of hearing loss to the start of treatment < or ==30 days) were enrolled. Ninety-five patients underwent PGE1 plus HBO therapy (PG group) and 101 underwent steroid administration plus HBO therapy (steroid group). Hearing recovery was evaluated by grade assessment and by the improvement in hearing compared to the unaffected contralateral ear. RESULTS: The hearing levels after treatment were 52.2+/-3.0 and 47.5+/-2.8dB, the hearing gains were 31.3+/-2.2 and 27.2+/-2.3dB, the cure rates were 28.4% and 28.7%, the recovery rates were 54.7% and 53.5%, and the hearing improvement rates were 48.4+/-5.1% and 53.9+/-4.2% in the PG and steroid groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that PGE1 and a steroid are equally effective in the treatment of ISSNHL when used together with HBO therapy. PGE1 plus HBO therapy can be one of the potential alternative treatments for ISSNHL, particularly in steroid-intolerant patients such as those with severe diabetes mellitus, an active peptic ulcer, or viral hepatitis.     

糖皮质激素的不同给药途径及时机对重度和极重度突发性聋疗效的影响

目的评价糖皮质激素的3种不同给药途径和用药时机对治疗重度和极重度突发性聋疗效的影响。方法根据糖皮质激素给药途径,将43例(43耳)重度和极重度突聋患者分为口服组(n=19)、静脉给药组(n=14)和鼓室内给药组(n=10),分别采取晨起口服强的松片、静脉滴注和鼓室内注射地塞米松的给药途径,其余治疗均相同;根据发病后接受糖皮质激素治疗的时机,将43例患者分为2周内组(n=37)和2周后组(n=6),比较不同给药途径及时机各组间疗效。结果鼓室内给药组,静脉给药组和口服组的总有效率分别为70.00%、78.57%和52.63%,显效率分别为60.00%、57.14%和36.84%,3组间的总有效率和显效率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。2周内组和2周后组的显效率分别为56.76%和0.00%,总有效率分别为72.97%和16.67%,2周内组的显效率和总有效率均明显高于与2周后组(P<0.05)。结论作为重度极重度突聋患者的初始(一线)治疗,糖皮质激素的不同给药途径(鼓室内给药、静脉滴注和口服)对疗效无影响;开始糖皮质激素治疗的时机与疗效密切相关,越早使用则疗效越好,最好在发病后2周内开始用药。     

全身应用联合鼓室注射糖皮质激素治疗重度和极重度突发性聋

目的比较全身应用联合鼓室注射糖皮质激素与单独全身应用糖皮质激素治疗重度和极重度突发性聋的疗效。方法回顾性比较47例(47耳)重度和极重度突聋患者的临床资料和治疗效果,将患者分为口服糖皮质激素组(口服组,19例,晨起顿服强的松片1mg.kg-1.d-1,5天后每2天递减10mg)、口服加鼓室内注射糖皮质激素组[口服加鼓室给药组,9例,在口服强的松片(用法同口服组)的同时鼓室内注入地塞米松5mg,隔2天一次,平均4次]、静脉滴注糖皮质激素组(静滴组,12例,静脉滴注地塞米松10mg,每日一次,每隔5日减半量)和静脉滴注加鼓室内注射糖皮质激素组(静滴加鼓室给药组,7例,方法、剂量同静滴组及上述鼓室给药法)。疗程结束后,比较各组的疗效。结果口服组和口服加鼓室给药组的总有效率分别为52.63%和66.67%,显效率分别为36.84%和22.22%,两组间的总有效率和显效率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。静滴组和静滴加鼓室给药组的总有效率分别为83.33%和71.43%,显效率分别为66.67%和71.43%,两组间的总有效率和显效率差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论全身应用(口服或静滴)联合鼓室内注射糖皮质激素治疗重度和极重度突聋并不能得到较全身单独用药更好的疗效。     

The effect of intratympanic steroid injection frequency in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of intratympanic steroid injection frequency on hearing outcomes for patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Hyperbaric oxygen for idiopathic sudden hearing loss: is the routine application helpful?

Conclusion: We recommend the routine application of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in conjunction with intravenous steroid (IVS) for all patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). For best results, this therapy must be started within 14 days. Objective: To investigate the necessity of routine application of HBO therapy for ISSNHL. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 300 patients (300 diseased ears) were divided into 3 groups according to the therapy received: IVS (group A), HBO (group B), or IVS + HBO (group C). Patients in each treatment group were subdivided into subgroups according to the time of therapy initiation. The outcomes of their hearing recovery were classi?ed into three recovery grades: good, fair, and poor. Results: The proportion of patients responding to therapy and those with complete recovery was the highest in the combined treatment group, 84% and 58%, respectively, regardless of the initial hearing levels. In all the groups, mean gains of cases in whom therapy was started in the first 2 weeks were significantly higher (p < 0.05) and hypercholesterolemia (>240 mg/dl) caused significantly worse responses (p < 0.05).     

Intratympanic vs systemic use of steroids as first-line treatment for sudden hearing loss: A meta-analysis of randomized,controlled trials

BackgroundSudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common disease in otology, and steroids play an important role in its treatment. Steroids can be administered systemically or locally, and the efficacies of different administration routes remain controversial.MethodsWe searched the Cochrane, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and Weipu databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on glucocorticoid treatments for SSNHL to compare the efficacy of topical and systemic steroid administration. The Review Manager 5.4 software was used for synthesis of data: the rate of reported hearing improvement and change in pure-tone audiometry (PTA).ResultsIn all the included studies, when intratympanic administration was compared to systemic therapies, the risk difference (RD) using reported hearing improvement as an outcome measure was 0.08 (95% CI: 0.01–0.14, I² = 45%). Using PTA changes as an outcome measure in 4 studies, the mean difference (MD) was 10.43 dB (95% CI: 3.68–17.18, I² = 81%). Hearing improvement RD was also compared among different types of steroid, recovery criteria, follow-up times and diagnostic criteria, and showed no significant differences exception for recovery criteria (>10 dB) (RD -0.06, 95% CI: 0.14-0.2, I² = 0%).ConclusionAs the initial treatment for SSNHL, topical steroids seem to be superior to systemic steroid administration, especially in patients with contraindications to systemic steroids usage. However, further verification based on high-quality research is needed.     

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss during pregnancy: clinical characteristics,management and outcome

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) may occur during pregnancy with a rare prevalence, and little is known about it.

Aims: To retrospectively analyze cases of SSNHL during pregnancy and investigate their clinical characteristics, management and outcome.

Material and methods: Records of 30 SSNHL patients during pregnancy were reviewed, including age, localization, duration from onset to treatment, gestation period, accompanying symptoms, initial hearing threshold, final hearing threshold, audiogram, treatment and outcome.

Results: Twenty-four patients (80.0%) suffered SSNHL in the second trimester or the last trimester with a high rate of tinnitus (70.0%). The initial hearing threshold was 63.4?±?25.1?dB, and most audiograms were flat and profound. The overall recovery rate was 60.0%, including complete recovery (33.3%) and partial recovery (26.7%). Further, 16 patients received adjuvant intratympanic steroid showed a better audiologic outcome (improvement 27.1?±?16.4 vs. 15.7?±?12.0?dB, p?=?.042) than those who had not.

Conclusions and significance: SSNHL during pregnancy often occurred in the second trimester or the last trimester with a severe hearing loss, the most audiogram configurations are flat and profound. Dextran-40 is a safe and beneficial therapy for SSNHL patients during pregnancy and adjuvant intratympanic steroid increase the probability of hearing recovery.     

Actualización del consenso sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la sordera súbita idiopática

IntroductionIdiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a sudden, unexplained unilateral hearing loss.ObjectivesTo update the Spanish Consensus on the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of ISSNHL.Material and methodsAfter a systematic review of the literature from 1966 to March 2018, on MESH terms «(acute or sudden) hearing loss or deafness», a third update was performed, including 1508 relevant papers.ResultsRegarding diagnosis, 11 ISSNHL is clinically suspected, the following diagnostic tests are mandatory: otoscopy, acumetry, tonal audiometry, speech audiometry, and tympanometry, to discount conductive causes. After clinical diagnosis has been established, and before treatment is started, a full analysis should be performed. An MRI should then be requested, ideally performed during the first 15 days after diagnosis, to discount specific causes and to help to understand the physiopathological mechanisms in each case. Although treatment is very controversial, due to its effect on quality of life after ISSNHL and the few rare adverse effects associated with short-term steroid treatment, this consensus recommends that all patients should be treated with steroids, orally and/or intratympanically, depending on each patient. In the event of failure of systemic steroids, intratympanic rescue is also recommended. Follow-up should be at day 7, and after 12 months.ConclusionBy consensus, results after treatment should be reported as absolute decibels recovered in pure tonal audiometry and as improvement in speech audiometry.     

鼓室激素注射为初始治疗的突发性聋听力恢复的时间规律

目的 探讨鼓室激素注射作为初始治疗突发性聋患者方案的听力恢复时间规律,寻求最佳鼓室给药时机。方法 将突发性聋患者135例纳入研究,均接受为期2周的全身激素治疗。其中63例仅接受全身激素治疗,另72例在全身激素治疗开始的同时联合鼓室内激素注射。所有病例随访2个月。结果 治疗后第3天、第7天、第14天、1个月、2个月每个时间点两组间总有效率差异均无统计学意义。全身激素治疗联合鼓室注射组第7天与第14天疗效差异无统计学意义(P=0.065),而单纯全身激素治疗者第7天与第14天疗效比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.029)。结论 鼓室激素注射联合全身激素治疗作为初始治疗方案,其疗效并不优于单纯全身激素治疗,但听力改善峰值的时间前者总体早于后者。     

A comparison between systemic and intratympanic steroid therapies as initial therapy for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a meta-analysis

Conclusions: Intratympanic steroid (ITS) treatment groups exhibited better outcomes in PTA improvement and recovery rate than systemic steroid therapy (SST) groups. Whether initial hearing loss severity would influence the PTA improvement and recovery rate still requires further research.

Objective: This article was aimed at evaluating whether intratympanic steroid (ITS) treatment would provide benefits over systemic steroid therapy (SST) as initial therapy in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). A meta-analysis was carried out based on published RCTs that included the hearing outcomes of ITS treatment and SST in ISSHL as initial therapy. Both PTA differences and recovery rate were analyzed.

Methods: The literature search was based on the online database including Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane trails, which completed in July 2016. This study extracted the relevant data following the selection criteria. Mean difference (MD) of PTA differences and Odds ratio (OR) of recovery rate were calculated within 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Six eligible articles were reviewed. The pooled MDs of PTA differences was 3.42 (95% CI?=?0.17–6.67, p?=?.04) and the pooled ORs of recovery rate was 2.05 (95% CI?=?1.38–3.03, p?=?.0003), which indicated that ITS treatment yielded better PTA improvement than SST. Sub-group analyses based on the initial hearing loss were also conducted; however, the difference was insignificant according to our analysis results (p?=?.82 for PTA improvement and p?=?.26 for recovery rate).     

地塞米松不同给药方式治疗突发性聋的疗效观察

目的:探讨地塞米松不同给药方式治疗突发性聋的疗效。方法:回顾性分析100例突发性聋患者,将其分为2组,A组(50例)全身静脉注射地塞米松,B组(50例)鼓室内注射地塞米松。结果:A、B组治疗总有效率分别为66%、68%,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:不管全身方式给药,还是局部鼓室给药,使用地塞米松治疗突发性聋的疗效相仿。     

Outcomes research analysis of continuous intratympanic glucocorticoid delivery in patients with acute severe to profound hearing loss: Basis for planning randomized controlled trials

Conclusions. The data presented herein form the basis for conducting randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of salvage treatment in patients with idiopathic sudden severe sensorineural hearing loss (but not anacusis) refractory to initial systemic therapy. Comparison of different application protocols and drug delivery systems will allow assessment of the value of continuous versus intermittent intratympanic glucocorticoid drug delivery. Objectives. To describe and critically evaluate the results of continuous intratympanic glucocorticoid delivery in patients with acute unilateral severe and profound sensorineural hearing loss refractory to initial systemic therapy and to compare the outcome with a historical control group. Material and methods. In a retrospective chart review, treatment results were analyzed in 23 patients with acute severe and profound hearing loss and failure of systemic standard therapy who received a continuous intratympanic delivery of glucocorticoids as a salvage treatment. Audiological results were compared within the local therapy group and with the results of an historical control group who did not receive salvage treatment. The study and control groups were matched with respect to hearing loss after initial systemic treatment failure. Results. The average pure-tone threshold after intratympanic salvage treatment showed a statistically significant improvement of 15?dB (95% CI?7–24 dB; p<0.001). After exclusion of patients with complete anacusis, i.e. a non-measurable hearing threshold, the local therapy group showed a significantly better improvement (mean 19?dB; 95%?CI?6–32 dB) than the historical control group (mean 5?dB;?95%?CI ??2–11 dB; p<0.05).     

Necessity of admission to improve the hearing-recovery rate in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic potential of admission of a patient for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

Study design: Retrospective clinical study.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 301 patients with ISSNHL. The patients were divided into a study (57 patients at out-patients department (OPD) based treatment, using systemic steroids and intra-tympanic (IT) steroid injection) and a control groups (301 patients at admission, using systemic steroids and IT steroid injection). We compared the success rate (15?dB cut off), Siegel’s criteria and hearing gain decibels between two groups.

Results: The overall recovery rate of the OPD based treatment group (29.8%) was poor than that of the admission group (52.9%) (p?=?.002). The odd ratio of OPD based treatment factor was 2.035 when the OPD based treatment and poor prognostic factors were analyzed at logistic regression test (Duration of delayed treatment, 1.073; average hearing loss level, 0.972) (p?=?.041).

Conclusion: Admission must be strongly recommended when the patients with ISSNHL asked about the necessity of admission. We hypothesized that resting, getting out of their social stress, and relief of anxiety might be helpful to their hearing recoveries.