What is Sudden Hearing Loss? Symptoms, Causes, and Hyperbaric Treatment Method

Sudden hearing loss is a health issue that develops within 72 hours, usually affecting one ear, though in some cases it can occur in both ears. According to research, sudden hearing loss is encountered in approximately 5 to 20 out of every 100,000 people each year. While the causes of sudden hearing loss are not known with certainty, viral infections, trauma, or vascular problems can cause a partial or total loss of hearing function. Among treatment options, corticosteroids are the most commonly used method. However, in recent years, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which is based on the principle of the patient breathing pure oxygen under high pressure, has also emerged as a supportive method in the treatment of sudden hearing loss.

What is Sudden Hearing Loss?

Hearing loss is a health problem that occurs as a result of a deterioration in the auditory system due to various reasons. Manifesting with symptoms such as difficulty understanding speech or communicating on the phone, hearing loss is examined in 3 categories: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is a health issue that prevents sound from being transmitted from the outer or middle ear to the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss, also known as sudden hearing loss, occurs as a result of damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve. Some cases of hearing loss can be both conductive and sensorineural. In this case, mixed-type hearing loss may be present.

Sensorineural, or sudden, hearing loss is defined as a hearing loss of more than 30 dB across three consecutive frequencies for at least 3 days. The symptoms of sudden hearing loss, which most people notice when waking up in the morning or while using the phone, usually occur within a few hours or days and are often accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). The vast majority of people who encounter this situation may neglect to visit a healthcare facility, mistaking the hearing loss for health problems such as allergies or sinus infections. However, early diagnosis and treatment are important for reversing hearing loss. Although it is difficult to reverse most hearing loss, research shows that in 85% of sensorineural hearing loss cases treated with early intervention, hearing can be partially or completely restored.

While sudden hearing loss affects people of all age groups and genders, the risk of encountering hearing loss may increase, especially in the 40s and 50s. Although research shows that one in approximately 5,000 people experiences sudden hearing loss each year, experts suggest that this number may be higher than estimated, based on the fact that many people avoid seeking medical help in the event of hearing loss.

What Are the Causes of Sudden Hearing Loss?

Sudden hearing loss is usually a health problem that occurs as a result of damage to the structures in the inner ear or the auditory nerve. For this reason, damage to the inner ear structures responsible for hearing and balance can also cause symptoms such as ringing and dizziness after sudden hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing loss develops due to damage to the structures in the inner ear that convert sound waves into signals, or to the auditory nerve that transmits these signals to the brain, caused by various health problems such as prolonged exposure to loud noise, aging, genetic factors, or autoimmune diseases. Accordingly, the main causes of sudden hearing loss are as follows:

Exposure to loud noise: Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 dB can permanently damage the structures in the inner ear. For example, situations such as spending a long time in traffic or listening to loud music can cause damage to inner ear structures. In addition, loud explosive sounds, such as gunfire, can also damage inner ear structures at once.

Genetic factors: Various studies show that there are more than 100 genes that can cause hearing loss. As a result of mutations occurring in these genes, congenital hearing loss can be observed.

Aging (Presbycusis): The natural aging process also creates a natural wear and tear effect on the structures in the inner ear. Research shows that approximately one-third of people over the age of 65 and approximately 50% of those over the age of 75 experience hearing loss.

Trauma: Head trauma is among the leading causes of sudden hearing loss by damaging the delicate structures in the inner ear.

Infectious diseases: Infectious diseases such as measles can cause hearing loss.

Autoimmune diseases: Some autoimmune diseases can cause damage by attacking the body's own inner ear structures.

Medications: Some medications can have a toxic effect on the auditory system, leading to sensorineural hearing loss.

Meniere's disease: Meniere's disease, characterized by fluid buildup in the inner ear, can cause symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, and sudden hearing loss. Sudden hearing loss in one ear can be a symptom of Meniere's disease. Early treatment and lifestyle changes in Meniere's disease can help control symptoms.

The causes of sudden hearing loss cannot always be determined with certainty. Only 10-15% of patients diagnosed with sudden hearing loss have an identifiable cause for their hearing loss.

What is Hyperbaric Treatment?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a treatment method based on the principle of breathing 100% pure oxygen in a special pressure chamber to support the body's healing process in various health problems. While normal air contains 21% oxygen, patients are exposed to a much higher oxygen concentration during HBOT. In this way, more oxygen can reach the body's tissues, and the healing process is supported.

During the treatment process, patients sit or lie in a pressurized chamber, and the air pressure in the chamber is increased to two to three times the normal level to ensure more oxygen reaches the lungs. Thanks to the increased oxygen level, tissues can heal in a shorter time.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used as a supportive treatment for health problems such as sudden hearing loss, carbon monoxide poisoning, severe burns, and diabetic foot ulcers. The treatment is usually applied several times a week, and each session lasts one to two hours. Thanks to the comprehensive care and support services we provide in hyperbaric treatment, side effects of the treatment are generally rare. However, problems such as sinus congestion due to increased pressure or claustrophobia due to being in an enclosed space may occur.

How is Hyperbaric Treatment Applied for Sudden Hearing Loss?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden hearing loss is a treatment procedure that has been used for many years. The treatment is based on the principle of the patient breathing pure oxygen in a special pressure chamber. During the treatment, the air pressure in the chamber is adjusted to be 2 to 3 times higher than normal. In this way, more oxygen reaches the lungs. The oxygen reaching the lungs is transported to the damaged tissues in the inner ear via the bloodstream, and the restoration of hearing function is supported.

It is important to start as early as possible for the treatment to be effective. If no signs of improvement in sudden hearing loss are seen after the first 10 sessions, experts may evaluate other methods instead of continuing the treatment.

During the treatment of sudden hearing loss, our experts in the field of hyperbaric treatment regularly monitor the patient's hearing status, and the treatment plan is shaped according to these evaluations. Thanks to our personalized approach, our patients receiving hyperbaric treatment at our hospital can leave our hospital with high satisfaction.

What is the Effectiveness of Hyperbaric Treatment in the Treatment of Sudden Hearing Loss?

Sudden hearing loss can be reversed with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The patient breathing pure oxygen in a high-pressure chamber can eliminate the oxygen deficiency that occurs in the inner ear tissues. Especially with hyperbaric oxygen therapy started within the first 14 days of the symptoms of sudden hearing loss in the right or left ear, improvement in hearing levels is achieved in a significant portion of patients experiencing hearing loss.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used alone in the treatment of sudden hearing loss, or it can be applied in combination with corticosteroid drugs. However, the effectiveness of the treatment may vary depending on the severity of the hearing loss, the time of starting treatment, and the person's general health status.

Research shows that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an effective treatment option for those who have experienced sudden hearing loss. However, for the treatment to be effective, it is important to start treatment in the early period and for the treatment to be carried out in a healthcare institution where experts who use advanced technology methods in the treatment of sudden hearing loss have careers full of success stories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hyperbaric treatment can generally be used alone or in combination with other treatment options for various health problems such as wound healing, treatment of infections, carbon monoxide poisoning, decompression sickness, sudden hearing loss, burns, and gas embolism. For patients experiencing sudden hearing loss, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help in restoring hearing function. According to research, starting treatment, especially within the first 14 days when symptoms are seen, can help restore hearing function. The duration of treatment usually varies between 10 and 20 sessions. Each session is set to last approximately 90 minutes. However, experts may usually turn to other treatment options in cases where no significant progress is recorded after 10 sessions. While hyperbaric treatment is generally safe, middle ear discomfort due to pressure and sinus problems can rarely be seen. Hyperbaric treatment is generally a safe treatment option. However, oxygen therapy may not be suitable for pregnant women, those with certain lung diseases such as collapsed lung, or those with damage to the eardrum. The recovery time for sudden hearing loss varies depending on the degree of loss and the time of starting treatment. With emergency intervention, hearing function can be restored in 85% of patients. If you are experiencing symptoms such as hearing loss you have not noticed before in recent days, or difficulty understanding speech or talking on the phone, make an appointment with our specialist doctors without delay and protect your hearing health.