According to the researchers, further studies can help in creating a better understanding of the role of antioxidants in idiopathic sudden hearing loss besides determining the most effective antioxidant and its optimal dose.

From Bio-medicine.org:

Previous research shows antioxidants could prevent consequences of damage in the inner ears of animals. With this evidence, researchers assumed antioxidants could reduce the damage and enhance recovery of idiopathic sudden hearing loss.

Sixty-six participants were enrolled in the study within eight days from onset of the hearing loss. They were all treated with bed rest, magnesium, inhalation of carbogen and steroids, and the patients in the study group received 400 milligrams of twice-daily vitamin E in addition. The success of the treatment, defined as improvement of 75 percent or more, was better in the study group (about 78 percent vs. about 45 percent). This was also true at follow-up. However, the difference in complete recovery between the groups was insignificant.

Sudden hearing loss is identifiable in only 10-15 percent of the cases that include viral and bacterial diseases, and metabolic, neurologic, and immunologic sources.

Steroids

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss can be regarded as a hearing impairment complication resulting in hearing loss up to a minimum of 30 decibels over a minimum of three test frequencies in three days.

From News-Medical.Net:

For the systematic review, 21 trials were identified and evaluated, all of which used measures from hearing tests to define treatment outcomes. “Only two studies used identical criteria to define sudden sensorineural hearing loss,” the authors write. “The method of randomization was described in two studies. Validity scores ranged from two to eight (of nine). Positive results were reported favoring systemic steroids, intratympanic [inside the inner ear] steroids, batroxobin, magnesium, vitamin E and hyperbaric oxygen, although there were serious limitations in each study with a positive finding.”

This includes the article cited as the landmark study for the use of steroids, which was not described as a randomized trial and therefore may have produced exaggerated treatment effects, the authors note. The authors suggest that this study also used inconsistent doses of steroids and did not measure outcomes at the same time for all participants. “The study therefore does not inform the otolaryngologist of what dose of steroids to use, nor at what time after treatment to expect improvement,” the authors write.

Data pertaining to all randomized clinical trials that were published between 1966-2006 was compiled by Anne Elizabeth Conlin, B.A. & Sc., M.D., of the University of Ottawa, Ontario, and Lorne S. Parnes, M.D., F.R.C.S.C., of the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.

It was then remarked that systemic steroids cannot be termed as the gold treatment standard for treating patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss or sudden hearing loss is believed to affect approximately 5-20 out of every 100,000 individuals on a yearly basis.

Some of the currently followed treatment options are vitamins, herbs, minerals, antiviral medications, hyperbaric oxygen, and agents capable of diluting the blood.

From News-Medical.Net:

Anne Elizabeth Conlin, B.A. & Sc., M.D., of the University of Ottawa, Ontario, and Lorne S. Parnes, M.D., F.R.C.S.C., of the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, searched for all randomized clinical trials evaluating treatments for sudden hearing loss published between 1966 and 2006.

For the systematic review, 21 trials were identified and evaluated, all of which used measures from hearing tests to define treatment outcomes. “Only two studies used identical criteria to define sudden sensorineural hearing loss,” the authors write. “The method of randomization was described in two studies. Validity scores ranged from two to eight (of nine). Positive results were reported favoring systemic steroids, intratympanic [inside the inner ear] steroids, batroxobin, magnesium, vitamin E and hyperbaric oxygen, although there were serious limitations in each study with a positive finding.”

The review authors noted that treating sudden hearing loss is complicated as the exact cause of this ailment often remains unknown. It was also noted that the complication can be termed as a medical emergency without a rational treatment approach or scientific understanding of its cause.