Waking up — or suddenly noticing — that the hearing in one ear has dropped is frightening, and it is more urgent than most people realize. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is treated as a medical emergency, and the window to act is short.
Why timing matters
The inner ear has a very high oxygen demand and almost no backup blood supply. When something disrupts that supply, the delicate hair cells begin to fail. The sooner oxygen delivery is restored, the better the chance of recovery — which is why treatment started within the first two to four weeks gives the best results.
HBOT as an add-on therapy
Standard treatment is usually steroids. Major medical societies recognize hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a reasonable adjunct — added alongside steroids — particularly for moderate-to-severe loss treated early. At 2.0–2.4 ATA on 100% oxygen, HBOT floods the inner ear with the oxygen its starved cells need to recover.
What to do now
- See an ENT or your physician immediately — do not wait to "see if it comes back."
- Ask specifically about steroids and whether HBOT is appropriate.
- Have your physician contact us to coordinate prompt treatment.
We can begin quickly and we co-manage with your ENT throughout. Proudly serving Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, and the surrounding Peninsula.
If you or a loved one has sudden hearing loss, call or text (831) 555-0100 today — every day counts.
