Comparison between postauricular steroid injection and intratympanic steroid perfusion for refractory severe and profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Abstract Background To analyze the clinical efficacy of intratympanic steroid perfusion (ISP) and postauricular steroid injection (PSI) for refractory severe and profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Methods SSNHL patients who failed a conventional treatment with severe to profound hearing loss [pure tone average (PTA, 0.25–8 kHz) > 60 dB] were treated with ISP or PSI plus antioxidant and neurotrophin for 10 consecutive days. Antioxidant and neurotrophin were administrated either intravenously and/or orally. All patients were assigned into the ISP group or the PSI group and followed up for more than three months. The changes in PTA, effective rate and side effects were analyzed in the two groups. Results Similar hearing improvements and effective rates were observed in the two groups. However, a slightly better efficacy was observed in the PSI group compared to the ISP group. Patients with shorter intervals from onset to treatment had significantly more hearing improvements. The route of antioxidant and neurotrophin administration had no impact on treatment effects. Conclusion Both ISP and PSI could be used as salvage treatments for refractory SSNHL. These salvage treatments should be started as soon as possible once SSNHL patients fail a conventional treatment.