Anti-inflammatory therapies for sensorineural hearing loss

Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies have been widely employed in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss in the context of autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) and idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). While steroids are the mainstay of treatment for these disorders, numerous other therapies, including cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, azathioprine, rituximab, anakinra, anti- TNF-α agents, and plasmapharesis have been investigated. Here we will describe the most commonly-studied of these immune-modulating therapies and review the evidence for their efficacy in the treatment of inner ear disorders, focusing on AIED and ISSHL. Further investigation of the potential inflammatory mechanisms mediating these forms of sensorineural hearing loss may ultimately identify targets for future treatments.