www.HealthyHearing.com |
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden hearing lossPreventing permanent hearing loss is the goalKey points:
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), also known as sudden deafness, is a medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. In some instances, an underlying condition will be diagnosed and treated, such as an infection. If an obvious cause isn’t found, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), coupled with steroids, may be used to prevent permanent hearing loss with no known cause. Why hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for SSHLHow it works: HBOT is administered in a highly pressurized, hyperbaric chamber. The increase in air pressure increases oxygen delivery from the lungs into bodily tissues, including the eardrums and inner ear. How it helps: Oxygen reduces swelling, and helps fight off severe infection, scarring, nerve damage and fluid buildup. 
of permanent hearing loss. A typical appointmentIf your doctor determines you are a good candidate for HBOT, you will be referred to a hyperbaric center near you to start treatment. During therapy, you will sit or lie down in a hard-shell chamber that is equipped to deliver 100% oxygen. A medical professional will remain outside the chamber at all times. They will steadily increase the pressure within the chamber, while monitoring your comfort level. Sessions typically last for 90 minutes a day. Ten to 20 daily treatments may be needed. If no improvement occurs within the first 10 days, your doctor may recommend halting treatment. How effective is it?HBOT restores hearing in a significant percentage of people with SSHL, according to studies, including randomized controlled trials. It seems to be most helpful when given within two weeks of sudden hearing loss onset. Your healthcare provider also may recommend oral steroids, or steroids injected directly into the ear. These drugs fight inflammation. They can be used before, during, or after HBOT treatment, notes Frank L. Ross, MD, FACS, associate director of the Helen & Martin Kimmel Hyperbaric and Advanced Wound Healing Center at NYU-Langone Health system in New York. "I tell my patients that speed is key," Ross says. "Getting treated close to the start of hearing loss can make a big difference." However, HBOT won't work for everyone, he notes. "From our research, we find that around a third of patients will have some level of response. On average, some people get all of their hearing back. Around 30% will get 30-50 decibels back.” People with certain underlying conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, may have a less positive result. Does HBOT have risks?HBOT is cleared by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for 14 conditions, including sudden hearing loss, severe burns, radiation wounds, and decompression sickness (the bends after deep sea diving). Like many medical treatments, HBOT can have risks. According to the FDA, severe complications, like lung collapse, are rare. Temporary risks include:
To reduce risk, only use a hospital or facility that is accredited by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Unregulated medical facilities, like spas, store-front clinics, and wellness centers, should be avoided. Unregulated facilities that don’t adhere to safety standards pose fire, and other severe risks to patients. Also, "soft-shell" chambers that can be used at home will not be pressurized enough to provide benefit. HBOT may be challenging if you get anxious in small spaces. “People with claustrophobia may find HBOT easier to tolerate if they take Benadryl beforehand. They can also get a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication, like valium, from their primary care physician,” Ross says. Who should not get HBOT?HBOT may also be contraindicated (not recommended) for people with severe congestive heart failure, or severe reactive airways disease. Let your doctor know about any underlying conditions you have, to make sure you are a good candidate for HBOT. How much does it cost?This will depend on where you live, and what kind of insurance coverage you have. Many private health insurance plans cover HBOT. If you don’t have insurance, or your copays, coinsurance, and deductibles are high, you can expect HBOT, in a hard-shell chamber, to cost around $300 per session. Keep in mind that up to 20 sessions may be required. Treatment costs are set by the clinics and hospitals offering HBOT. The cost of treatment varies between providers. It may also vary from state to state. With insurance, your costs should be significantly lower. Check with your insurer to determine your eligibility, and out-of-pocket costs. If your plan has a provider network, you will pay much more if you seek out-of-network treatment. If you have an FSA (flexible spending account), or HSA (health savings account), you will likely be able to use it to pay for HBOT. Where can I find an HBOT provider?HBOT has been available for over 50 years. Despite this, there are only around 1,300 clinics and hospitals that offer it nationwide. Not every state has an HBOT facility. Those that do are not always accredited to treat sudden deafness. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society publishes an interactive map of accredited clinics you can use to find HBOT, close to home. You can also contact your health insurer, or local area hospitals, to find out if they provide this service. Sudden hearing loss is seriousSudden hearing loss is considered a medical emergency. Often, an easily-treatable condition will be found. However, this symptom can also be indicative of serious conditions, including stroke. No matter what you suspect the root cause might be, see a healthcare provider as quickly as possible. HBOT plus steroids may be a viable solution. Sources
|
Hearing centers close to me:
| Ohio State Univ Hearing |
| Nationwide Childrens Hospital |
| Ohio State University Audiology Clinic |
| Columbus Speech & Hearing Center |
Find hearing clinics in my country:
