Observation on efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation using a medium-frequency electrotherapy device combined with intratympanic injection of methylprednisolone for treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss

ZHANG Yameng; TIAN Chunhui; LIU Hongfeng

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-3806.2025.08.11

Abstract：Objective To observe the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)using a medium-frequency electrotherapy device combined with intratympanic injection of methylprednisolone for treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL).Methods A total of 120 patients with SSNHL who were admitted to Department of Otolaryngology,Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2023 to November 2024 were recruited.The patients were divided into control group and observation group by using random number table method,with 60 patients in each group.The control group received intratympanic injection of methylprednisolone for treatment,while the observation group received TEAS using a medium-frequency electrotherapy device combined with intratympanic injection of methylprednisolone for treatment.The treatment courses in both groups were 4 weeks.The clinical efficacy,average hearing threshold,Tinnitus Disability Scale scores,Vertigo Rating Scale scores,results of speech-recognition test,hemorheological indicators and occurrence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total clinical effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group,with statistically significant difference between the two groups(95.00％vs 83.33％;x2=4.227,P=0.040).After 4 weeks of treatment,the average hearing threshold,Tinnitus Disability Scale scores,Vertigo Rating Scale scores,high-shear whole blood viscosity,low-shear whole blood viscosity,plasma viscosity,hematocrit and erythrocyte aggregation index in the observation group were lower than those in the control group,and the correct rate of speech recognition and erythrocyte deformation index in the observation group were higher than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences between the two groups(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion TEAS using a medium-frequency electrotherapy device combined with intratympanic injection of methylprednisolone is significantly effective in treatment of SSNHL.It can effectively improve the hearing level and hemorheological indicators,relieve vertigo symptoms,and has good safety.