Hydrogen inhalation: a potential treatment for radiotherapy/chemotherapy-induced hearing loss in cancer patients.
Tsz Yuen Au, Firas Darwiche, Shamiram Benjamin, Chanika Assavarittirong · 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
In those treated, an attenuation of cisplatin-induced hearing loss was observed, and histologically, treatment of this loss with 2% hydrogen gas has been shown to considerably alleviate cisplatin-induced hair cell damage within the organ of Corti. These findings add human evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential to influence glucose regulation and metabolic health.
What the Findings Mean
H2HUBB reviewed how molecular hydrogen affected the outcomes measured in 3 patients with the condition. In those treated, an attenuation of cisplatin-induced hearing loss was observed, and histologically, treatment of this loss with 2% hydrogen gas has been shown to considerably alleviate cisplatin-induced hair cell damage within the organ of Corti.
What the Researchers Studied
The researchers studied 3 patients with the condition. The study used a human clinical study.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
An in vitro study, a clinical series of 3 patients regarding the clinical use of hydrogen therapy in RT-induced hearing loss, a prospective study of 17 patients, and 2 hydrogen therapy animal studies on cisplatin-induced hearing loss were compiled and analyzed within this review. In those treated, an attenuation of cisplatin-induced hearing loss was observed, and histologically, treatment of this loss with 2% hydrogen gas has been shown to considerably alleviate cisplatin-induced hair cell damage within the organ of Corti. The authors concluded that studies have suggested that both cisplatin and RT could elevate intracellular ROS, and increased oxidative stress is believed to play a major role in cisplatin and RT-induced hearing loss. 5 Additionally, to explain the pathophysiology and mechanism of action, the formation of hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite was measured in different groups; have shown that the production of both radicals was statistically impeded in the case of hydrogen administration. Clinical studies, case reports, animal, and preliminary studies have revealed that hydrogen molecules reduce oxidative stress; this, in turn, may have an otoprotective effect against cisplatin or RT-induced hearing loss.
Why These Findings Matter
These findings add human evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential to influence glucose regulation and metabolic health and contribute to the growing body of molecular-hydrogen research.
How Strong Is This Evidence?
This is human clinical evidence from a human clinical study. H2HUBB interprets the findings in the context of the study design, sample, comparator, and measured outcomes rather than using one publication as a verdict on hydrogen therapy.
Technical Study Details
H2HUBB classifies this publication as human clinical study with human clinical evidence. The research population or model was 3 patients with the condition. The reported sample size was 3. The study used a human clinical study.
Limitations and Safety
Reported limitations: 8 OTHER: The SYRCLE risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of the animal studies and determine their strengths and limitations ( Table 1 ).
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.