Description

ABSTRACT

Yang W, Yang M, Yang T, Wang Z, Lin W, Pan S, Li H. Recovery Patterns During Extended Hyperbaric

Oxygen Treatment Combined With Steroids in Severe Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Multi-

Center Study. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2026 Second Quarter; 53(2):261-270.

Introduction: Severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a challenging otological emergency.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) treatment is an adjunctive treatment for SSNHL, improving oxygen supply and

microcirculation and reducing oxidative stress. While HBO2 is increasingly used for SSNHL, the temporal

patterns of hearing recovery during extended treatment protocols remain poorly characterized. This

study investigates the frequency-specific recovery patterns and speech recognition improvements during

a 30-session HBO2 protocol with concurrent steroid treatment in patients with severe SSNHL.

Methods: This multi-center, retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with severe SSNHL

at four medical centers from January 2019 to December 2024. Inclusion criteria included patients who

initiated HBO2 with steroids within five days of onset, completed 30 HBO2 sessions, and underwent

pure-tone audiometry and speech recognition assessments at specified intervals. A total of 103 patients

receiving combined HBO2 and steroid treatment were analyzed using SPSS.

Results: Low-frequency hearing (125 Hz, 250 Hz, and 500 Hz) exhibited rapid recovery, with significant

enhancements noted after ten sessions of HBO2 (P < 0.05). In contrast, mid-frequency hearing (1000

Hz and 1500 Hz) and high-frequency hearing (2000 Hz) showed notable improvements after 20 and 30

sessions (P < 0.05), with the 30-session treatment resulting in greater enhancements compared to the

20-session treatment (P < 0.05). Speech recognition rates significantly improved after 20 and 30 sessions

of HBO2 compared to pre-treatment levels (P < 0.05), with the 30-session treatment showing statistically

significantly higher rates than the ten-session HBO2 (P < 0.05).

Discussion: Hyperbaric oxygen treatment significantly enhances hearing and speech recognition in

severe SSNHL, particularly in the mid-frequency range. Long-term HBO2 treatment may be a viable option

for these patients.

Keywords: hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) treatment; severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss (severe

SSNHL); recovery patterns