Outcomes of treatment of sudden deafness using different Protocols: a retrospective analysis of 104 cases

AbstractObjectiveTo compare different treatment protocols for sudden deafness(SD), for the purpose of identifying an appropriate approach to SD.MethodsA total of 104 patients with diagnosis of sudden hearing loss treated from Jan 2006 to December 2008 were included in this study, of which 31 received the typical pharmaceutical treatment(group I), 40 received the typical pharmaceutical treatment plus polarized liquid(Group II) and 33 received the hyperbaric oxygen in addition to the treatment included in Group II (Group III).ResultsThe total improvement rate(67.74%, 62.50% and 75.76% for Groups I, II and III respectively) was not statistically different between the three groups (P>0.05).ConclusionThe three treatment protocols are similar when judged by the treatment outcomes in SD, neither being superior to the others. The two important factors that appear to influence treatment outcomes are the audiogram pattern and duration of hearing loss before seeking treatment. Patients with upsloping or peak–type audiograms and treated within 7 days from the onset have better prognosis than others