Sudden Hearing Loss can be treated by Steroids

Intravenous steroid therapy when given to patients suffering from sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) proves to be quite effective.

Sudden hearing loss occurs suddenly in one ear, and causes a 30+ decibel (dB) hearing loss at three consecutive frequencies, generally within three days,

Spain researchers presented a new study which evaluated the effect of intratympanic steroid injections in patients with SSNHL. Studies was conducted on 50 patients who were diagnosed with unilateral (affecting one ear) SSNHL due to unknown reasons. Standard intravenous steroid treatment, hearing improvement of 15 dB or more in PTA was noted in 32 cases (64 percent).

From medical news today:

As a result of its anti-inflammatory effect, high-dosage systemic steroid therapy is currently the mainstay of the treatment for SSNHL. Despite oral or intravenous steroid therapy for two weeks, approximately 30-50 percent of patients show no response. Animal studies have found that intratympanic steroid injections, introducing steroids through the tympanic membrane, results in reduced systemic steroid toxicity and higher perilymph steroid level selectively. Past research has focused on use of these injections as a secondary-line therapy in SSNHL refractory cases. Other clinicians promote its use as first-line therapy in all SSNHL cases. Nevertheless, few controlled studies have been published comparing the results between intratympanic steroid treatment and other approaches.

The statistical differences in age, sex ratio were not considered at the time of onset to therapy, presence of vertigo and tinnitus, initial hearing level, and final hearing level after intravenous treatment between the two groups. This non-randomized prospective clinical trial showed that intratympanic methylprednisolone significantly improved the outcome of SSNHL after intravenous steroid treatment.

It was proved by the study that therapy involving Intratympanic steroids is an effective and safe therapy for SSNHL cases that are refractory to standard treatment since ear is a very sensitive part.

Many clinical trials were defined by the researchers to suggest the number of injections, the types of steroids, and the most adequate doses given to the patient. It was concluded that steroids do help in relieving the symptoms caused by SSNHL.