The efficacy of intratympanic steroid injection for the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss
- Author:
Chew Shiun Chuen
1
;
Mohd Khairi Md Daud
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Hearing loss; sudden; intratympanic injection; steroids
- From: The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2020;75(1):74-77
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
- Abstract: Objective: A systemic steroid is known to have a potential to recover hearing after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). However, lately many centres have introduced the use of intratympanic (IT) steroid therapy as an option. We reviewed our experience in the treatment of patients with ISSHL looking at the overall success of using systemic steroid, IT steroid injections as salvage therapy and primary IT steroid injection. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 20 patients who had suffered from ISSHL from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017. ISSHL is defined as a rapid decline in hearing over three days or less affecting three or more frequencies by 30dB or greater. Comparison between the mode of steroid therapies and improvement in patients was done. At least 15dB improvement in pure tone audiogram (PTA) was considered as successful therapeutic intervention. Results: Twenty male and female patients who fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. The mean age of the patients was 41.4 years with a range from 13 to 72 years. Ninety percent patients presented with unilateral ISSHL involvement. Eight ears of patients who received systemic steroid therapy alone had improved hearings (75%). Out of seven ears from six patients who received salvage therapy, four ears (57.1 %) had improvement in PTA. Seven ears showed improvement in PTA from a total of eight patients who primarily received IT injections. Conclusions: IT steroid therapy promises a favourable outcome in the improvement of the hearing, as compared to systemic steroid administration. Its usage is recommended not only for salvage therapy but should be used as primary treatment especially in those with co- morbiditie
