How can HBOT Treatment Help with Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss can be attributed to any number of causes. Research shows that incidences of sudden hearing loss range between 11 to 77 cases for every 100,000 individuals each year. However, before you start looking into treatment options, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), it’s essential to take a moment to understand what may be causing the loss in hearing.

Sudden Hearing Loss Can Be Scary

When it comes to your hearing, a sudden decrease or loss in hearing can be quite alarming. While some people experience hearing loss as a natural part of the aging process, the sudden onset of partial or total loss needs to be investigated before any sudden hearing loss treatment can be determined.

While many cases of sudden hearing loss can be attributed to the gradual buildup of earwax, ear infections, or abnormal growths within the outer or middle ear, many cases are due to injury to the inner ear or eardrum.

Injuries of the ear are more common than you may think and may be caused by:

  • Exposure to loud noises – includes both constant and sudden noises such as explosions from firearms
  • High fevers which can damage the cochlea
  • A cotton swab injury
  • Sudden trauma

If you experience sudden hearing loss due to an injury, you need to seek out sudden hearing loss treatment as soon as possible. Otherwise, your hearing loss can become permanent, requiring expensive hearing aids.

What is HBOT Therapy?

HBOT therapy, also referred to as hyperbaric oxygen or hyperbaric wound care, is a treatment method utilized in chronic wounds. These are defined as wounds that don’t heal as they should or wounds that do not heal in an orderly and timely manner.

For those with these chronic wounds, HBOT can be beneficial as the process involves exposing patients to 100% oxygen – a vital supplement required for proper wound healing. This ensures that the oxygen needed for healing is delivered to where it’s needed most.

How Can HBOT Therapy Help Sudden Hearing Loss?

When utilized early on, research shows that HBOT therapy can significantly improve the likelihood of a patient regaining normal or only slightly impaired hearing. As oxygen is such a vital part of the body’s natural healing process, HBOT can prove beneficial when an ear injury/wound, such as a damaged or pierced eardrum, is caught early on. HBOT also provides benefits for those who experience acute hearing loss.

Your Next Steps with R3 Wound Care and Hyperbarics

If you suspect that your sudden hearing loss may be due to an injury, your next step should be contacting your general practitioner or ears, nose, and throat doctor. Should they confirm that an injury has taken place, they may refer you to a specialist that offers various treatment options, including HBOT therapy.

If you have questions about HBOT therapy or think you may be an ideal candidate, contact us today for more information.