I. What examinations should be done for idiopathic sudden deafness?
Ear physical examination, pure tone audiometry, acoustic immittance measurement, inner ear MRI, auditory brainstem response (ABR), etc. The most commonly performed examination is pure tone audiometry. The normal hearing threshold stipulated by the World Health Organization is 25 dB.
II. How should idiopathic sudden deafness be treated?
1. Drug treatment: Corticosteroids for anti-inflammation, mecobalamin for nourishing the nerves, ginkgo biloba extract for improving blood circulation, etc.
2. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
3. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment.
4. Instrument assistance: Hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc.
III. The mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment method that increases the oxygen content in the body by inhaling pure oxygen in an environment with a pressure higher than 1 atmosphere. The main principles of its treatment of sudden deafness are as follows:
1. Increasing the partial pressure of oxygen: In a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, the partial pressure of oxygen is significantly increased, which can enhance the solubility of oxygen in the blood and increase the oxygen supply to the inner ear tissues. This is helpful for repairing damaged auditory nerve cells and other inner ear structures and promoting the recovery of hearing.
2. Improving microcirculation: Hyperbaric oxygen can improve the blood flow of microvessels, reduce the hypoxia and inflammatory response of inner ear tissues, thereby enhancing blood supply and promoting the repair of damaged tissues.
3. Reducing inflammation: Hyperbaric oxygen has an anti-inflammatory effect, which can inhibit the inflammatory response in the inner ear and further reduce tissue damage.
