The Effect of Intratympanic Steroid Injection for the 371 Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Intratympanic steroid injection is used for treatment of various inner ear diseases including intractable sudden sensorineural hearing loss. We studied the effectiveness of intratympanic steroid injection for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and compared the effectiveness to other treatments as a primary treatment tool. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed the records of 371 patients (373 ears) seen in the past six years from January 2003 to June 2009 who had an initial diagnosis of idiopathic SSNHL. The patients were divided into 6 groups which were 46 ears treated with topical steroids (S)(Group 1), 223 ears treated with S and heparinization (H)(Group 2), 82 ears treated with S, H and intratympanic steroid injection (ITS)(Group 3), 9 ears treated with S, H, ITS and stellate ganglion block (SGB)(Group 4), 47 ears treated with S, H and SGB (Group 5), and 11 ears treated with ITS (Group 6). Results: There was no statistical difference among the treatment results of all groups. The hearing range of the air-conduction was statistically significant in the success group. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that ITS did not result in significant improvement in the treatment of SSNHL compared to other treatment.