Hearing Restoration in Sensorineural Loss: A Prospective Cohort Study of Intratympanic Platelet-Rich Plasma Instillation in Yemen

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intratympanic PRP injection in the treatment of SNHL in Yemen and identify predictors of successful treatment outcomes. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 120 patients diagnosed with SNHL at the Military General Hospital in Yemen. Patients received intratympanic PRP injections and were followed up for 3 months. Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) was performed to assess hearing thresholds before and after treatment. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics, including etiology and duration of hearing loss, were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate treatment outcomes and identify significant predictors. Results: The study cohort comprised 36 females (30%) and 84 males (70%), with a mean age of 29.72 ± 11.85 years. The most common etiologies were noise-induced hearing loss (35.8%) and sudden hearing loss (30%). Post-treatment, significant improvement in PTA hearing thresholds was observed, with mean thresholds improving from 48.27 ± 17.77 dB HL to 31.56 ± 20.45 dB HL (p < 0.05). Patients with pre-treatment hearing levels of 26-45 dB showed the highest improvement rates, with 93.1% achieving a final hearing level of ≤ 25 dB. The etiology of SNHL was a significant predictor for better outcomes (p = 0.002), whereas age, gender, and duration of hearing loss did not significantly impact treatment outcomes. The treatment was well tolerated, with minor adverse effects observed in a small percentage of patients. Conclusion: Intratympanic injections of PRP are an effective and safe treatment for improving hearing thresholds in patients with SNHL, particularly in resource-limited settings like Yemen. Early intervention and tailored treatment strategies based on the etiology are crucial for optimizing outcomes. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to establish the long-term efficacy and safety of PRP therapy in patients with SNHL.