Artikel
Hyperbaric oxygenation for treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus
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Veröffentlicht: | 4. April 2012 |
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Gliederung
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Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the medical use of oxygen at a level higher than atmospheric pressure. A related effect is the increased oxygen transport capacity of the blood. Patients with sudden hearing loss and tinnitus may have benefit from this treatment, because hypoxia is in fact main reason for inner ear damage.
Aim: To asses the role of HBOT in cases with hearing loss and tinnitus as adjuvant therapy.
Material and methods: 46 patients with SHL and tinnitus divided on two groups: Group I - treated only with medications and group II – with medications and HBOT. Average pure tone hearing levels (0.5, 1, 2 and 4KHz) were determined before and 2 weeks after treatment.
Results: HL improved by more than 20 dB in 32 % of the first group, and 54 % of the second group. Tinnitus intensity was reduced in 47 % in first group, and 72 % in second group. All patients had no adverse effects from the therapy.
Conclusion: Our results prove that HBOT as adjuvant therapy is a reliable method for treatment of sudden hearing loss and tinnitus.