Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy ( HBOT)and Cochlear Implant

February 1, 2004

Hello,

I think I had e-mailed about this a year or so ago re: if it was o.k.

to do HBOT for a person who has a cochlear implant (CI), knowing then

that my son would be a future CI candidate. I believe that I

received some responses stating that there would be no problem with

that as long as the external part of the CI was not on the child

while in the chamber. I just want to confirm that information and

also...

We did 40 treatments of HBOT last summer. My son did not have a CI

at the time. We are wanting to do another round (He has CP and is

2 1/2 yrs. old) this March. He is actually having surgery for his CI

on March 16. The session opf HBOT begins on March 22 and ends April

12 or 13, I believe. He has to wait 3-4 weeks after the CI surgery

before they can actually activate the device, to allow time for the

swelling to go down and the incision to heal. My question is this:

Is there any reason why it would not be a good idea to go ahead with

the other round of HBOT during the 3-4 week waiting period? I know

that as far as the healing of the wound is concerned, it would be a

great thing. I am just concerned that if there still is considerable

swelling at the site when we start the HBOT (one week after surgery),

that the pressure might contraindicate the positive effects. Any

comments? Especially from any physicians on the list? I am going to

run it by his ENT surgeon of course, but I fear he knows nothing

about HBOT so I am not sure how valid his answer would be.

Also, is there anyone who has treated someone with HBOT who also has

a CI? Is there anyone or a parent of someone who has had HBOT

treatments with a CI?

My son already has PE tubes (replaced this past Dec.)so that part

should be fine.

Thanks in advance for your response,

Kim

February 1, 2004

Kim,

It's nice to hear from you again and I'm glad to see that you will be going

forward with the CI for yur son.

I am not personally comfortable with HBOT during this time frame. I think this

is really something for your doctor to check out with the manufacturer. I doubt

that any of us on the list are qualified to give you an answer to this question.

Sorry... but let us know what you find out please.

Alice

From: brixjax