The use of herbal medicine in sudden sensorineural hearing loss in diabetic patients

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Doluperine® capsule (curcumin, piperine, and gingerol) on hearing recovery in diabetic patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one diabetic patients with SSNHL were randomized to receive two placebo capsules (group 1), a Doluperine® plus one placebo capsule (group 2), or two Doluperine® capsules (group 3). Moreover, all patients had an injection of dexamethasone in the middle ear. RESULTS: The proportion of significant positive changes in PTA, SDS, and SRT was 45.4%, 45.4%, and 36.37% in group1, 84.6%, 84.6%, and 76.92% in group 2, and 70%, 50.0%, and 80.0% in group 3, respectively. Many patients in group 3 did not respond to treatment in the first month, while they recovered at the end of the second month. The chance of recovery reduced with increased time between the onset of symptoms and treatment (delayed visitation) in group 1; however, this finding was not seen in groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: Doluperine® is recommended as a complementary medicine along with steroid therapy for hearing loss improvement in diabetic patients; moreover, this herbal medicine seems to play an important role in recovery in patients with delayed visitation.