Asia
Hyperbaric
Centre
Who Is
This For?
This supportive protocol is designed specifically for individuals who have experienced a sudden, unexplained drop in hearing. It is most appropriate for those whose hearing loss occurred within the last 14 days, though it is also utilized as a salvage option for those who have not responded to initial steroid interventions within 30 days.
To qualify for this protocol, clients typically meet the following criteria:
Diagnosed with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) by an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist), defined as a drop of at least 30 decibels across three contiguous frequencies within 72 hours.
Presenting with moderate to profound hearing loss (≥ 41 dB).
Currently receiving, or having recently completed, a course of systemic or intratympanic corticosteroids prescribed by their referring doctor.
For sudden hearing loss, time is the most critical variable. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) [1] and the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery [2] both emphasize that hyperbaric oxygen is most effective when introduced early in the recovery window.
You should consider introducing hyperbaric oxygen into your care plan if:
You are within 14 days of symptom onset, which is the optimal window for combining hyperbaric oxygen with standard medical therapy to maximize the chances of hearing recovery.
You have completed a course of oral or injected steroids but have not experienced a satisfactory return of hearing (salvage therapy).
Your ENT specialist has recommended an adjunctive service to address the underlying cochlear hypoxia.
When to Consider HBOT
How Oxygen Reaches the Inner Ear
The fundamental challenge in addressing sudden hearing loss is the unique anatomy of the inner ear. The cochlea has a high metabolic demand but a very limited direct vascular supply. The delicate hair cells responsible for hearing rely almost entirely on oxygen diffusing from nearby capillary networks into the surrounding fluid (perilymph). When this micro-circulation is compromised—whether by inflammation, viral infection, or vascular issues—the oxygen tension in the perilymph drops significantly, and the hair cells begin to fail.
Normal breathing, even with pure oxygen, cannot overcome this anatomical barrier.
Inside our chamber, we change the physics of oxygen delivery. By administering 99.5% medical-grade oxygen at pressures of 2.0 to 2.5 ATA, oxygen dissolves directly into the blood plasma [1]. This hyper-oxygenated plasma creates a steep pressure gradient, forcing oxygen to diffuse deeply into the perilymph and reach the starving structures of the organ of Corti. This process alleviates cochlear hypoxia, reduces inflammation, and provides the cellular energy required for tissue repair.
The Science & Clinical Evidence
We do not make promises about what hyperbaric oxygen can do for your hearing — the published evidence does that. The efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunctive service for sudden sensorineural hearing loss is documented in comprehensive meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Laryngoscope [3] analyzed data from 20 studies involving over 1,600 patients. The researchers found that patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen in combination with medical therapy had 2.61 times higher odds of experiencing hearing recovery compared to those treated with medical therapy alone.
Similarly, a systematic review in JAMA Otolaryngology [4] reported that hyperbaric oxygen, when used as part of a combination treatment, was significantly associated with improved hearing outcomes, demonstrating a mean absolute hearing gain of 10.3 decibels over control treatments.
— Alter et al., The Laryngoscope, 2025 [3]
2.61x — the increased odds of hearing recovery when combining hyperbaric oxygen with standard medical therapy.
— Joshua et al., JAMA Otolaryngology, 2022 [4]
10.3 dB — the mean absolute hearing gain achieved over control treatments in randomized trials.
Our protocols are aligned with the standards established by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) [1]. This is a precise, high-pressure protocol designed to achieve the necessary arterial-perilymphatic oxygen concentration difference documented in clinical research.
Oxygen Purity: 99.5% Medical-Grade Oxygen — pharmaceutical purity under Cap. 138 [5].
Chamber Pressure: 2.0 to 2.5 ATA (Atmospheres Absolute) — the pressure range required to dissolve oxygen into plasma and drive diffusion into the inner ear [1].
Session Duration: 90 minutes at depth — the standard window for cellular oxygenation.
Frequency: Once daily, 5 to 6 days per week.
Total Course: 10 to 20 sessions — depending on the severity of the hearing loss and the timing of intervention.
The Protocol
What To Expect
We understand that entering a hyperbaric chamber can feel unfamiliar. Our team is here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring you feel comfortable, safe, and supported.
Step 1 — The Briefing & Preparation: Before your first session, our technician will walk you through the safety protocols. You will change into 100% cotton clothing (provided) to eliminate static risk. No electronics, watches, or oil-based cosmetics are allowed inside the chamber.
Step 2 — Pressurisation: As the chamber pressurises over 10-15 minutes, you will feel a sensation in your ears similar to descending in an airplane. Our technician will coach you on simple techniques to clear your ears. Once at depth (2.0-2.4 ATA), you will breathe 99.5% pure oxygen through a comfortable hood or mask. You can read, rest, or watch a screen during the 90-minute session.
Step 3 — Depressurisation & Next Steps: The chamber will slowly depressurise over 10-15 minutes. Once open, you can return to your normal daily activities immediately. Our technician will examine your wound site and coordinate with your primary wound care team to track your progress.
FAQ
How soon should I start hyperbaric oxygen therapy for sudden hearing loss?
The clinical evidence strongly supports early intervention. The UHMS recommends initiating the protocol within 14 days of symptom onset for optimal outcomes [1]. While some clients may still benefit if starting later (often referred to as salvage therapy), the chances of significant recovery diminish as time passes.
Do I still need to take the steroids my doctor prescribed?
Yes. Hyperbaric oxygen is an adjunctive service, meaning it is designed to work alongside conventional medical therapy, not replace it. The most robust clinical outcomes are seen when hyperbaric oxygen is combined with systemic or intratympanic corticosteroids [3]. A doctor's referral is required before beginning our protocol.
Will the pressure changes hurt my ears?
The physical sensation is limited to the pressure change during the first and last 15 minutes of the session. Our technicians are highly experienced in guiding clients through equalization techniques, and we adjust the pressurisation rate to ensure your comfort, particularly given your existing ear condition.
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. UHMS Indications. 2011.
Chandrasekhar SS, Tsai Do BS, Schwartz SR, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Sudden Hearing Loss (Update). Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2019;161(1_suppl):S1-S45.
Alter IL, Hamiter M, Han J, Leu CS, Usseglio J, Lalwani AK. Hyperbaric Oxygen and Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Laryngoscope. 2025.
Joshua TG, Ayub A, Wijesinghe P, Nunez DA. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Patients With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. 2022;148(1):5-11.
Hong Kong e-Legislation. Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138). HKSAR Government.
Wang HH, Chen YT, Chou SF, et al. Effect of the Timing of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on the Prognosis of Patients with Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Biomedicines. 2023;11(10):2670.
