Efficacy of intratympanic steroid therapy for severe and profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Background: Intratympanic steroids (ITS) in treating sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) have become more widespread.Aim: This study investigates whether ITS treatment provides additional benefits when combined with systemic steroids (SS) in patients with severe and profound SSNHL.Materials and methods: Patients diagnosed with severe and profound SSNHL were divided into two groups: SS group and SS combined with ITS group. Pure-tone audiometry was performed before and three months after treatment completion. The pure-tone average (PTA), frequency-specific hearing gains, and average values were compared between the groups.Results: The study included 57 patients (27 SS, 30 ITS), with a mean age of 50.09 +/- 15.56. Before treatment: SS PTA 84.40 +/- 15 dB HL, ITS 87.50 +/- 9.38 dB HL (p = 0.36). After treatment: SS 62.2 +/- 23.13 dB HL, ITS 65.17 +/- 12.19 dB HL (p = 0.55). Average hearing gain: SS 22.19 +/- 13.81 dB HL, ITS 22.33 +/- 12.24 dB HL (p = 0.96). Frequency-specific gains were similar (p > 0.05). SS group: 12 slight improvement, 10 no improvement, 3 partial, 2 complete recovery. ITS group: 23 slight improvement, 6 no improvement, 1 partial.Conclusion: In our study, combining ITS with SS treatment did not provide additional benefits in treating severe and profound SSNHL.