Effectiveness of electroacupuncture for the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A retrospective study

This retrospective study investigated the use of electroacupuncture (EA) for the treatment of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Between May 2016 and April 2020, 140 patients with SSNHL were retrospectively analyzed. They were allocated to a treatment group (n = 70, received EA) and a control group (n = 70, received acupuncture). They received EA or acupuncture for a total of 3 months. The outcomes included average hearing threshold (AHT), tinnitus (as assessed by tinnitus handicap inventory [THI]), dizziness (as measured by dizziness handicap inventory [DHI]), and adverse events (AEs). After treatment, patients in both groups exerted more reduction in HT (P < .01), THI (P < .01), and DHI (P < .01), than those before the treatment. Furthermore, patients in the treatment group showed more relief in HT (P < .01), THI (P < .01), and DHI (P < .01), than those of patients in the control group. When it comes to AEs, both modalities had similar safety profile. The findings of this retrospective study indicated that the effectiveness of EA is superior to acupuncture in treating SSNHL. Future high quality studies are needed to warrant the present findings.