Objectives: This study investigated the impact of eustachian tube (ET) function (ETF) on therapeutic success on candidates for intra-tympanic administration of steroids (ITAoS), due to idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).
Methods: Medical chart review in two university-affiliated medical centers was performed. Included were consecutive adult patients diagnosed with unilateral ISSNHL between 2012 and 2019 who were treated with ITAoS due to incomplete or no recovery following systemic steroidal therapy. ETF was assessed by means tympanometry, before the initiation of ITAoS. The cohort was divided into an ET dysfunction group (ETD(+)) and a functioning ET group (control: ETD(-)). The audiologic response to treatment was recorded at the last follow-up.
Results: A total of 64 suitable patients [median (interquartile, IQR) age 49 (38-63) years] were enrolled. The ETD(+) group included 20 patients and the remaining 44 patients served as controls. Demographic and clinical parameters were not significantly different between the two groups at presentation. Hearing thresholds were improved significantly better, at frequencies 250, 500, 1, 2, 4, and 8 kHz (p = 0.001-0.040) in the ETD(+) group.
Conclusion: ETD(+) is associated with better efficacy of ITAoS.
Keywords: Eustachian tube dysfunction; Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss; Intratympanic steroids injection; Sudden deafness.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.