OBJECTIVETo search for the best acupuncture treatment for sudden sensorineural deafness.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-seven patients were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (group A), an electroacupuncture group (group B), an acupuncture pius acupoint injection group (group C), an electroacupuncture plus acupoint injection group (group D). Ermen (TE 21), Tinggong (SI 19), Tinghui (GB 2), Yifeng (TE 17), Fengchi (GB 20) on the affected side, and Shangxing (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Hegu (LI 4), Waiguan (TE 5), etc. were selected. The treatment was given once each day. Hearing was tested after treatment for 40 sessions and the therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 47.6% in the group A, 79.2% in the group B, 76.0% in the group C and 94.0% in the group D, the group D being the best and the group A being the worst, and with significant differences between the group D and the other groups (all P < 0.05). In the group D, the therapeutic effect for patients who received the treatment within 2 weeks after attack were superior to those who received the treatment over 2 weeks after attack (P < 0.05); the acupuncture therapeutic effect for the mild and moderate patients was superior to that of severe patients (P < 0.05); the acupuncture therapeutic effect for the patients less than 50 years old was superior to those more than 50 years old (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture plus acupoint injection is the heat therapy for sudden sensorineural deafness, and the timely intervention of acupuncture, the severity degree of the illness and the patient's age are all related to the prognosis of this disease.