Dear Dr. Dave,
Thank you for giving me
back my hearing! What a GIFT!
Let me share my story about my sudden hearing
loss, targeting those with active lifestyles. The saying, “hear today…gone
tomorrow” was my nightmare this winter. I experienced sudden hearing loss that
was sensorial and could not be treated by hearing aids. Over a two day period
my hearing suddenly was gone in my left ear. I immediately sought medical help.
Otolaryngologists told me it may be permanent, but to try heavy doses of
steroids to reduce any inflammation, over 2 months’ time. I had 2 weeks to save
my auditory nerve, thus my hearing. They said it could be a virus or tumors or
an arterial bleed. An MRI ruled out the latter two. I was perfectly
healthy with no vertigo, etc. However, I had hit my head (while wearing my ski
helmet) 4 times in 5 weeks. Perhaps my spine may now be misaligned (subluxated).
After living with sudden hearing loss in one ear
for a just few days, that was confirmed by an audiogram ( a hearing test), I
knew that the diagnosis I was given ( a virus) wasn’t good enough for me or my
life style … skiing, motorcycling, horseback riding, work, future
grandchildren, and personal safety etc. I now understood the reclusiveness,
intolerance and irritation of those who cannot hear or hear well.
I now had less than two weeks, for the best
results, to get my hearing back, before the auditory nerve died. Two
knowledgeable people came to mind, Dr. Dave Jensen at the W.I.N. Health
Institute in Basalt and Kirk Hanley of the Colorado Hyperbaric chamber, also of
Basalt in the mid valley Health Institute.
I called Dr. Dave for his opinion. He explained
that chiropractic medicine started by the founder curing the hearing loss of
his janitor with a misalignment of C1 and C2 (cervical vertebrates 1 and 2),
just at the base of the skull). This made more sense to me… a diagnosis of a
virus did not. After a week of total hearing loss in my left ear, my first
adjustment, gave me a “portal of sound” which continued when I massaged the
area (C1) and the Eustachian tube, per Dr. Dave. Sound continued to
return as I continued my spinal realignments with Dr. Dave and the
anti-inflammatory hyperbaric treatments and steroids. After one
particular adjustment, I had a huge immediate increase in my hearing, I
thought, what a gift to be able give someone back their hearing.
In addition, Kirk Hanley of Colorado Hyperbaric
explained that hyperbaric oxygen treatments have been shown to reverse sudden
hearing loss. He explained that oxygen is the best anti-inflammatory on the
market, giving 150 times greater oxygen, to the body, compared to the oxygen we
breathe. So, I went “diving” in the chamber for 14 sessions. This same chamber
is used to treat scuba divers with the bends. Each session lasted approximately
2 hours. This gave the nerve a safe oxygenated environment, while I pursued
chiropractic care. Our body’s cells need oxygen to heal and perform their
duties, especially at altitude where we lack oxygen tension compared to our
friends at sea level. Hyperbaric treatments enhance the healing of cancer
radiation sites, migraines, seizures, nonunion of orthopedic surgical sites,
etc. We are lucky to have this rare healing modality in our valley, yet many
are unaware of the healing power of oxygen.
Many friends and family were praying; and I was
guided to Dr. Dave Jensen and Kirk Hanley. So, tell those active athletes and
those courageous cowboys and cowgirls who hit their heads occasionally or
regularly….don’t settle for hearing loss….seek treatment and do
not delay!
My follow up audiogram showed 100% recovery of
my hearing! Thanks to Dr. Dave and Kirk! I don’t believe I would have
regained 100% of my loss, with long term steroids alone, due to the short two
week window to save my nerve. Thank you! I am very grateful for the
prompt, professional and caring treatment I received.
Sincerely,
A K, DDS, PC
“Quiet Healthy Bedrooms”