Sudden Hearing Loss Treatment in Chicago, IL
Last Updated: October 27, 2026
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a rapid loss of hearing that develops over 72 hours or less, most often affecting one ear. Sudden hearing loss requires prompt medical evaluation because treatment options are time-sensitive. At CNS Brain Center in Chicago, our physician-led team provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which may be used in combination with steroid therapy for appropriately selected patients with SSNHL.
⏱ Time matters with sudden hearing loss.
If you experience a sudden change or loss of hearing, seek medical evaluation promptly rather than waiting to see if it improves on its own. Once SSNHL is diagnosed, patients referred for HBOT can contact CNS Brain Center to schedule an HBOT evaluation.
What Is Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)?
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a rapid reduction in hearing caused by a problem in the inner ear (the cochlea) or the nerve pathways that connect the inner ear to the brain. It typically comes on over a period of 72 hours or less and most often affects one ear. Many patients first notice it when they wake up, while others describe a sudden sense of fullness in the ear or ringing (tinnitus) at onset.
Clinically, SSNHL is commonly defined as a hearing loss of at least 30 decibels across three consecutive frequencies that develops within 72 hours. An audiogram is needed to measure the hearing loss and help confirm whether it is sensorineural.
Why Sudden Hearing Loss Requires Prompt Evaluation
A sudden change in hearing should be evaluated promptly because there is a limited window in which certain treatments for SSNHL may be considered. Evaluation is also important because not every sudden hearing change is sensorineural. Problems involving the ear canal or middle ear can also cause an abrupt change in hearing and require a different approach.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) recommends confirming suspected SSNHL with audiometry as soon as possible. Once the type and degree of hearing loss are established, the care team can determine which treatment options may be appropriate.
The Treatment Window
Treatment decisions depend on the patient’s diagnosis, timing, hearing test results, and individual medical circumstances. AAO-HNS guidelines state that corticosteroids may be offered as initial therapy within two weeks of symptom onset. HBOT combined with steroid therapy may also be offered within the first two weeks and may be considered as salvage therapy within one month of onset.
Symptoms of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sudden hearing loss can feel different from person to person. Common signs include:
- A rapid loss or significant reduction in hearing, most often in one ear
- Muffled hearing or sudden difficulty understanding speech
- Ringing, buzzing, or roaring in the ear (tinnitus)
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the affected ear
- Dizziness or a loss of balance (vertigo) in some cases
When to Seek Care
If you notice sudden hearing loss, seek medical evaluation right away. Sudden changes in hearing should not be assumed to be congestion, earwax, or something that will resolve on its own. Once SSNHL has been diagnosed, patients who are referred for HBOT can contact CNS Brain Center promptly so treatment can be considered within the appropriate window.
What Causes Sudden Hearing Loss?
In most cases, no specific cause is identified. When an underlying cause or contributing condition can be found, possibilities may include certain infections, autoimmune disease, inner-ear disorders, medications that can affect hearing, trauma, and other medical conditions. A prompt evaluation can help identify potentially treatable causes and determine whether additional testing is needed.
How Is Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Diagnosed?
Not every sudden change in hearing is SSNHL. The first step is determining whether the hearing loss is sensorineural or whether another problem, such as an issue involving the ear canal or middle ear, may be responsible.
Audiometry is used to confirm the type and degree of hearing loss. A physician will also review when the symptoms began, whether one or both ears are affected, associated symptoms such as tinnitus or dizziness, and relevant medical history. Depending on the findings, additional testing may be recommended to evaluate for an underlying cause.
Confirming the diagnosis promptly is especially important when HBOT is being considered because the recommended treatment windows for SSNHL are limited.
Sudden Hearing Loss Treatment in Chicago at CNS Brain Center
CNS Brain Center provides physician-led hyperbaric medicine at our Chicago medical center for patients who may benefit from HBOT as part of their SSNHL treatment plan. Our hyperbaric program is overseen by Lenny Cohen, MD, a board-certified neurologist, with dedicated HBOT technicians and nurses supporting treatment. We use medical-grade chambers that deliver 100% oxygen under controlled pressure.
Because HBOT for sudden sensorineural hearing loss is time-sensitive, patients who have already been diagnosed with SSNHL or referred for hyperbaric treatment should contact CNS Brain Center promptly to discuss evaluation and scheduling.
Call (773) 904-7101 or contact our Chicago office to speak with the CNS Brain Center team about HBOT for sudden hearing loss.
Information for Referring Physicians
ENT specialists and other clinicians can refer patients with confirmed SSNHL to CNS Brain Center when HBOT is being considered. Our Chicago hyperbaric team can coordinate evaluation and treatment with the referring provider. To discuss a patient or initiate a referral, contact our team.
CNS Brain Center can coordinate HBOT evaluation and treatment with the patient's referring provider. To discuss a patient or initiate a referral, contact our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss a Medical Emergency?
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss should be evaluated promptly because treatment options are time-sensitive. If you experience a sudden loss or significant change in hearing, seek medical evaluation rather than waiting to see whether it improves on its own. An examination and audiometry can help determine whether the hearing loss is sensorineural and whether treatment for SSNHL should be considered.
How Soon Should SSNHL Treatment Begin?
Evaluation should occur as soon as possible after sudden hearing loss begins. AAO-HNS guidelines state that corticosteroids may be offered as initial therapy within two weeks of symptom onset. HBOT combined with steroid therapy may also be offered within the first two weeks and may be considered as salvage therapy within one month of onset.
When Is HBOT Used for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be considered for appropriately selected patients with confirmed SSNHL. Current clinical guidelines identify HBOT combined with steroid therapy as an option within two weeks of symptom onset and as a potential salvage treatment with steroids within one month. Whether HBOT is appropriate depends on factors such as the timing of hearing loss, hearing test results, previous treatment, and the patient's medical circumstances.
Does HBOT Replace Steroids for Sudden Hearing Loss?
No. When HBOT is used for sudden sensorineural hearing loss under current clinical guidelines, it is considered in combination with steroid therapy rather than as a replacement for it. Treatment recommendations depend on the patient's diagnosis, when the hearing loss began, previous treatment, and other individual medical factors.
Who May Be a Candidate for HBOT After Sudden Hearing Loss?
HBOT may be considered for appropriately selected patients with confirmed sudden sensorineural hearing loss, particularly when treatment can begin within guideline-supported treatment windows. Timing, audiometry results, previous treatment, medical history, and other clinical factors can influence whether HBOT is appropriate. A confirmed diagnosis is important before determining whether hyperbaric treatment should be part of the treatment plan.
Where Can I Get HBOT for Sudden Hearing Loss in Chicago?
CNS Brain Center provides physician-led hyperbaric oxygen therapy at its Chicago medical center for patients who may benefit from HBOT as part of an SSNHL treatment plan. The hyperbaric program uses medical-grade chambers under clinical supervision and can coordinate treatment with a patient's referring ENT or other treating physician. Patients who have been diagnosed with SSNHL or referred for HBOT can contact our Chicago office to discuss evaluation and scheduling.