Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

As the name suggests, SSHL is a sudden drop in hearing (within 12 hours or less). Some people notice a ‘pop’ before their hearing drops, or it can deteriorate noticeably and very quickly. It is not uncommon to wake up to the condition.

The recommended treatment for SSHL is a course of high dose steroids (or sometimes steroid injections directly into the ear). Access to treatment very quickly after the onset of SSHL is crucial to improving the chances of restoring your hearing, ideally within 48 hours or less. You should at this point be referred to the care of an ENT specialist.

Oxygen Therapy promotes oxygenation to the inner ear apparatus and revive hearing ability. Patients who fail to respond to oral and intratympanic steroids may benefit from Oxygen Therapy. 

• Increases levels of oxygen in the blood to help stimulate the production of additional stem cells in the body. These stem cells seek out and repair damaged tissue.
• Reduces the levels of inflammation in the body by helping to grow and establish new blood vessels to allow oxygen-rich blood to reach inflamed tissues.
• Promotes the production of white blood cells and give the body’s immune system a boost.

Further Information:

• • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss after Failure from Oral and Intratympanic Corticosteroid (nih.gov)
  • HBO effectively supports SSNHL therapy - PubMed (nih.gov)