TLDR

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a UHMS-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and may be covered when medically eligible and authorized through the VA Community Care Network. Veterans in Los Angeles can access HBOT at OxygenWell's Sherman Oaks and Calabasas locations after receiving a Community Care referral from their VA provider. Time is critical, HBOT is most effective when started within the first two weeks of hearing loss onset. Contact OxygenWell at (818) 661-0939 to coordinate care after authorization.

Table of Contents

• What Is Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss?
• Why Veterans Are at Higher Risk
• Is HBOT a UHMS-Recognized Indication for SSNHL?
• Does the VA Cover HBOT for Sudden Hearing Loss?
• How to Request VA Community Care Authorization for HBOT
• What to Expect at OxygenWell
• Why OxygenWell
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss?

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is defined as a rapid-onset loss of 30 decibels or more across three or more frequencies, occurring within 72 hours. It affects an estimated 5 to 27 people per 100,000 annually in the United States, though many cases go unreported because patients mistake the loss for congestion or ear blockage. (NIDCD, National Institutes of Health)

The mechanism most often involves disruption of blood flow and oxygen supply to the cochlea, the spiral organ in the inner ear responsible for converting sound vibrations into nerve signals. When cochlear hair cells lose oxygen, they begin dying within minutes. Unlike many other tissues, cochlear hair cells do not regenerate.

SSNHL is a medical emergency. Delays in treatment reduce the probability of meaningful hearing recovery significantly. Standard first-line treatment includes high-dose corticosteroids, but outcomes vary and many patients experience incomplete or no recovery with steroids alone.

Why Veterans Are at Higher Risk

Military service is one of the leading causes of noise-induced hearing damage. Firearms, aircraft, explosives, and heavy equipment expose service members to noise levels that cause cumulative cochlear injury long before a sudden loss event occurs. A study published in PMC identified noise-induced hearing loss as the most prevalent service-connected disability in the VA system. (PMC/NCBI, 2023)

Veterans with pre-existing cochlear vulnerability from noise exposure are at elevated risk for SSNHL. For these patients, the cochlea has less reserve capacity to withstand a vascular or inflammatory event, making early, aggressive intervention more important, not less.

Is HBOT a UHMS-Recognized Indication for SSNHL?

Yes. Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a recognized indication by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS), the authoritative clinical body for hyperbaric medicine standards. The UHMS Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Indications document, which forms the clinical basis for insurance and VA coverage decisions, includes SSNHL as an approved indication when treatment begins within a defined time window from onset.

The rationale is physiological: HBOT at 2.0 to 2.4 ATA raises oxygen tension in the perilymph fluid of the cochlea by up to 10 to 15 times above baseline, far beyond what breathing normobaric oxygen can achieve. This creates the oxygen gradient that hypoxic cochlear tissue needs to recover and may preserve hair cell function that would otherwise be lost. (UHMS, 2025)

Clinical data consistently shows that combining HBOT with corticosteroids produces better outcomes than steroids alone, particularly for patients who present within the first two weeks of hearing loss.

Does the VA Cover HBOT for Sudden Hearing Loss?

HBOT for SSNHL may be covered when medically eligible and authorized through the VA. Coverage depends on:

• A confirmed diagnosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss
• A clinical determination that HBOT is medically appropriate
• Authorization through the VA Community Care Network (CCN)

Because most VA medical centers do not have hyperbaric chambers on site, veterans who need HBOT are routinely referred through the VA Community Care Network to authorized civilian providers. OxygenWell is an authorized VA Community Care provider with locations in Sherman Oaks and Calabasas.

Timing is medically critical. HBOT for SSNHL is most effective when initiated within 14 days of onset, and ideally within the first week. Veterans who suspect sudden hearing loss should contact their VA provider immediately and specifically request evaluation for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

How to Request VA Community Care Authorization for HBOT

Step 1: See your VA audiologist or primary care provider.
Report your symptoms, sudden hearing change in one ear, possible tinnitus, sense of fullness, and ask for an urgent evaluation. Request that your provider consider hyperbaric oxygen therapy as part of your treatment plan and document SSNHL in your chart.

Step 2: Request a Community Care referral through the VA CCN.
Ask your VA care team to submit a Community Care referral to an authorized hyperbaric provider near you. Because HBOT for SSNHL requires daily sessions, typically 10 to 20 sessions over two to four weeks, receiving treatment at a local authorized civilian clinic is both clinically and logistically necessary for most veterans.

Step 3: Schedule at OxygenWell after authorization.
Once your VA authorization is issued, contact OxygenWell at (818) 661-0939. Our team works with veterans and their VA referring providers to schedule promptly after authorization and medical clearance. We handle coordination so you can focus on your recovery.

What to Expect at OxygenWell

Each HBOT session at OxygenWell takes place inside an FDA-cleared Fortius420 monoplace chamber. You breathe 100% medical-grade oxygen at pressures up to 2.4 ATA through a non-rebreather mask. Sessions typically run 60 to 90 minutes.

For SSNHL, protocols generally range from 10 to 20 sessions, conducted daily, five days a week. Your protocol is personalized by our clinical team based on your audiogram results, time from onset, and any concurrent treatments you are receiving from your VA or civilian ENT provider.

OxygenWell is open seven days a week, which allows veterans to begin and maintain the intensive daily schedule that HBOT for SSNHL requires.

Why OxygenWell

OxygenWell was founded by Dr. Beth Meneley, DAOM, L.Ac., who brings 25+ years in integrative medicine and 12+ years dedicated to hyperbaric medicine in Los Angeles. Our clinical team has supervised more than 50,000 HBOT sessions across both locations.

We are an authorized VA Community Care provider. Our team understands the urgency of SSNHL and is experienced in coordinating care with VA referring providers to avoid unnecessary delays in authorization and treatment start.

Sherman Oaks: 15301 Ventura Blvd., Suite P-12, CA 91403
Calabasas: 23500 Park Sorrento, Suite A2, CA 91302
Phone: (818) 661-0939
Website: www.oxygenwell.com

For more on how OxygenWell works with the VA Community Care Network, see our VA Community Care overview.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do I need to start HBOT after sudden hearing loss?

The sooner the better. Clinical evidence shows the strongest recovery outcomes when HBOT begins within the first 14 days of onset. If you are a veteran experiencing sudden hearing loss, contact your VA provider the same day and ask for an urgent referral.

Will the VA cover all of my HBOT sessions for hearing loss?

Coverage depends on your eligibility determination and the VA's authorization. HBOT for SSNHL may be covered when medically eligible and authorized, the number of covered sessions is determined through the authorization process. OxygenWell's team can help you understand what to expect once you have your referral.

Can I receive HBOT at OxygenWell while also seeing a VA audiologist?

Yes. HBOT is typically used alongside, not instead of, standard audiological care. OxygenWell coordinates with your VA team to ensure your protocol complements your existing treatment plan.

What if my VA provider is unfamiliar with HBOT for hearing loss?

You can share information about the UHMS indication with your provider. OxygenWell's clinical team is also available to provide supporting documentation to facilitate your referral.

Does OxygenWell treat veterans from outside Sherman Oaks and Calabasas?

Yes. Veterans travel from across greater Los Angeles, including Encino, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and the San Fernando Valley, to receive care at OxygenWell. Both locations offer flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends.

OxygenWell is an authorized VA Community Care provider. HBOT coverage for sudden sensorineural hearing loss is subject to VA eligibility determination and individual authorization. Contact your VA provider to begin the referral process.

(818) 661-0939 | www.oxygenwell.com | Sherman Oaks · Calabasas