Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a condition where a patient suddenly experiences deafness, and in most cases without an underlying cause. In these cases, there is something wrong with the sensory organs of the inner ear or the nerve pathways between the inner ear and the brain. The term idiopathic refers to a condition with no identifiable underlying cause. Traditional treatment mostly includes corticosteroids, and when combined with HBOT treatment as early as possible after the onset of symptoms, permanent hearing loss can successfully be avoided. It’s crucial to begin treatment as early as possible, since after two to four weeks of onset, hearing loss is often irreversible. Early implementation of HBO to the pharmacotherapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss may lead to full recovery of hearing.
