Current Role of the Nonsteroid Treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (ISSNHL): A Narrative Review

Abstract

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHNL) is an abruptly appearing hearing loss. The etiology remains unclear, although vascular pathologies, viral infections, or autoimmune disease contribute to the understanding of this pathology. Systematic steroids are often used as the first-line treatment because of their anti-inflammatory effect. However, there remains controversy about the use of steroids and other alternative treatments, as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), exploratory tympanotomy, prostaglandin, N-acetylcysteine, or defibrinogenation therapy. In this study, we aim to review the various treatment options currently available for sudden hearing loss, with the objective of advancing our understanding of this condition and clarifying information to guide future clinical practice guidelines.