Thank you for your question. The UHMS hyperbaric oxygen safety committee (SC) can provide information but the ultimate responsibility for these types of questions is with the medical director and safety director of your facility.
As with many medical devices considered for exposure to hyperbaric conditions, the Safety Committee recommends consultation with the device manufacturer and proceeding with caution. The UHMS Safety Committee is aware of several hyperbaric centers that would remove the external portion of the device, leaving the titanium implant in place. This is a reasonable approach, as it is possible that the external device could be damaged by changes in atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, the energy generated by the battery is a heat source that could potentially cause harm to a patient receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Additional considerations should be given to the ability to communicate with the patient during therapy. Furthermore, we would advise that any medical concerns derived from the removal of this device be bought to the attention of the patient’s Otolaryngologist.
There are resources available to the public that may be of assistance when managing the safety of patients with cochlear implants:
Cochlear ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES CATALOGUE (JUN 2011)202813 Issue: 9.C, Page 96 of 109 (Attached)
J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1999 May;57(5):493-9. “Osseointegrated implants in irradiated bone: a case-controlled study using adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy.”
Backus D. et.al., Effects of Hyperbaric Exposure on the Integrity if the Internal Components of Commercially Available Cochlear Implant Systems, Otology&Neurotology (2002) 23:461-467
Hyperbaric Oxygen TreatmentHyperbaric Oxygen TreatmentCategory: Mechanical Impact; Pressure
DISCLAIMER
Neither the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) staff nor its members are able to provide medical diagnosis or recommend equipment over the internet. If you have medical concerns about hyperbaric medicine you need to be evaluated by a doctor licensed to practice medicine in your locale, which can provide you professional recommendations for hyperbaric medicine based upon your condition. The responsibility of approving the use of equipment resides with the physician and safety director of the facility. Information provided on this forum is for general educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of your own health care practitioner and you should not rely upon it as though it were specific medical advice given to you personally.
