Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (ISSHL)
Hyperbarics to help heal hearing
Sudden hearing loss is as frightening as it is unpredictable. One minute, you can hear. Next, you’ve inexplicably lost a significant amount of hearing in one or both of your ears. An unexplained loss of hearing like this is not just alarming, but it can also fundamentally change your world as you know it. Hearing loss is likely affecting your job, interactions with loved ones, and just about everything else you do on a day to day basis. During the onset of sudden hearing loss, it’s important to do everything you can to address the condition as quickly, and effectively, as possible. Holistic Hyperbarics can be a fundamental part of effective sudden hearing loss treatment plans, and a path to get you back to hearing again.
What is Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss?
Idiopathic Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (also referred to as sudden sensorineural hearing loss or ISSHL) is characterized as hearing loss of 30 decibels or more over three or more contiguous audiometric frequencies with an onset of less than three days. ISSHL happens rapidly, unexpectedly, and has no clear cause or explanation. ISSHL can occur in one or both ears and for some may be difficult to notice right away. Those experiencing ISSHL may also have ringing (tinnitus) in the ears, feelings of ear fullness, trouble with spatial awareness, vertigo and dizziness.
For more information about the different onsets of ISSHL, click to learn more.
How HBOT Can Help ISSHL
Reduces Inflammation
HBOT constricts blood vessels which is especially important for reducing inflammation in the inner ear. Relieving pressure on blood vessels improves circulation and allows the damaged tissues to heal.
Stimulates Growth of New Blood Vessels
HBOT speeds up the body’s natural process of growing new capillaries. An increase of blood vessels in the ear will make it easier for the body to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the tissue that needs it. This increase in blood vessels will continue to support inner ear health even after finishing HBOT sessions.
Increases Circulation
Increased blood flow leads to improved oxygen and nutrient delivery to damaged tissue. This increased circulation is needed to save the “hair cells” (stereocilia) inside the inner ear that are responsible for interpreting sound.
Increases Blood Oxygen Saturation
The combination of high flow oxygen and increased pressure oxygenates the blood plasma, allowing more oxygen to circulate through the tissue. Additionally, HBOT stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in oxygen starved tissue, allowing oxygen saturated blood into those areas.
Works Adjunctly to Other Interventions
Optimal mitochondrial performance helps with the effectiveness of steroids administered by your ENT.
Fourteen Day Window
ISSHL is a very serious emergency condition that, if not treated immediately, can result in permanent loss of hearing. It is crucial if you are experiencing ISSHL and/or any of its symptoms that you contact your Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor right away. There is a small time window of 14 days starting from when you first experience ISSHL and any of its symptoms. This 14 day window is when treatment is most likely to help recover most or all of your hearing. After the initial 14 days, it becomes increasingly difficult and unlikely to recover all of your hearing, however there is still hope and no matter how long it has been.
Visiting Your ENT Doctor
Body: When experiencing ISSHL, your first and most important step is to contact your ENT doctor. When you visit your ENT doctor, they will usually conduct a hearing test and most likely prescribe a steroid or other medication. Both are required before coming into HH. Holistic Hyperbarics can conduct a hearing test on behalf of your ENT, but we cannot supply a prescription for any ISSHL treatment medications.
Some questions to ask your ENT doctor:
What caused my hearing loss?
Are there any adjunct therapies I can combine with steroids to increase the chance of regaining hearing?
Planning Your HBOT Journey
Step 1- Call your ENT doctor (even if it feels like an ear infection/blockage)
Step 2 - Start your prescribed medication as soon as possible
Step 3 - Call or text us at (510) 648-9496 to schedule your first session
Step 4 - Come in for your first session and assessment
Depending on your specific journey, expect to be with us for 10 (2 weeks) to 20 (4 weeks) sessions
Step 5 - Post-protocol review to assess our performance in helping you recover your hearing
What symptoms and conditions are contraindications?
Conditions
Asthma
Congenital Spherocytosis
Emphysema with CO2 retention
High fevers: Fevers above 38.5ºC (around 101-102ºF )
History of middle-ear surgery or disorders:
History of seizures
Optic Neuritis
Pneumothorax
Chest trauma or thoracic surgery
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Viral Infections
Medications
Cisplatinum
Disulphiram (Antabuse
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
You may consider rescheduling your visit in the chamber if you are suffering from any of the above conditions. These conditions are less frequent but may be a risk to your health. Please consult your doctor before booking an appointment. For more information about more contraindications,
please visit the “A word of caution” section of our FAQ page
“The calm supportive manner of the staff was essential in my recovery. I didn’t have to explain to anyone about my hearing loss because they made eye contact, were patient with me, and took the time to make sure I was comfortable.”
- Angela (HH Sudden Hearing Loss Patient)
The statements and information on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA. Studies, claims, and any other information provided in these documents by Holistic Hyperbarics are intended for educational purposes only and are not meant to prescribe treatment. Protocol and results of hyperbaric oxygen therapy have not been verified by the FDA and should be discussed with a medical doctor before beginning treatment.