Hydrogen: a novel strategy for preventing and treating hearing loss.
Ling Jin, Shiwang Tan, Ju Lai, Kai Fan, Shican Zhou, Yang Wang, Shaoqing Yu · Medical gas research · 2026
Research-use notice
Independent study record
Each H2HUBB study page organizes source-linked research details for educational use. Interpretation should remain proportional to the study design, population, controls, and limitations.
H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
This narrative review examined the therapeutic potential of H₂ in preventing and treating sensorineural hearing loss and aims to inform future research directions. After 4 weeks of H₂ inhalation, 17 patients showed improved Eustachian tube dysfunction score, decreased air-conduction thresholds and bone-conduction thresholds. A limitation of this review is the relatively small number of relevant studies, particularly clinical research, which may introduce a certain degree of bias. The reviewed evidence adds support for molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential across the conditions, mechanisms, or outcomes examined.
What the Findings Mean
H2HUBB reviewed this publication as a synthesis of molecular-hydrogen research and summarizes the outcomes emphasized by the authors. After 4 weeks of H₂ inhalation, 17 patients showed improved Eustachian tube dysfunction score, decreased air-conduction thresholds and bone-conduction thresholds.
What the Researchers Studied
The authors reviewed the therapeutic potential of H₂ in preventing and treating sensorineural hearing loss and aims to inform future research directions.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
Source-reported hydrogen concentration: 67% source-reported H₂ gas concentration; Source-reported hydrogen exposure: 67% source-reported H₂ gas concentration; 3 L/min H₂ flow (3000 mL/min H₂); 60 minutes/day; reported treatment duration: 1 hour. After 4 weeks of H₂ inhalation, 17 patients showed improved Eustachian tube dysfunction score, decreased air-conduction thresholds and bone-conduction thresholds. The authors concluded that in preclinical models of sensorineural hearing loss, H₂ administration via inhalation, injection, or drinking water reduces reactive oxygen species accumulation, protects cochlear hair cells, and improves functional hearing markers (auditory brainstem response and distortion product otoacoustic emission). Hydrogen (H₂ ), a selective antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, has demonstrated protective effects on various organ systems.
Why These Findings Matter
The reviewed evidence adds support for molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential across the conditions, mechanisms, or outcomes examined.
How Strong Is This Evidence?
This is review or synthesis evidence (narrative review).
Technical Study Details
H2HUBB classifies this publication as narrative review with review or synthesis evidence. The reported sample size was 17. The study used a narrative review. The hydrogen delivery method was inhaled hydrogen gas. The source-reported hydrogen concentration was 67% source-reported H₂ gas concentration. The reported treatment duration was 1 hour.
Limitations and Safety
Reported limitations: A limitation of this review is the relatively small number of relevant studies, particularly clinical research, which may introduce a certain degree of bias.
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.