Dr. Jamie Oberman, a board-certified otolaryngologist at Frederick Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, emphasized the urgency of addressing sudden sensorineural hearing loss during a presentation to Maryland’s largest audiology network. “Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a serious and often misdiagnosed emergency that requires immediate evaluation to preserve hearing,” he said.
“Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a serious condition that must be treated within a specific timeline,” said Dr. Jamie Oberman. “The only way for an urgent care or a primary care doctor to make that distinction is a simple tuning fork exam. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an FDA-approved treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Our goal and our commitment in life is to preserve your hearing.”
As reported by the Maryland General Assembly, House Bill 525, passed in 2024, expands audiologists’ scope of practice by authorizing them to independently order diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests. This legislative change aims to improve accessibility and reduce delays in diagnosing hearing and balance disorders.
A 2022 article in Hearing Journal highlighted that granting audiologists access to diagnostic imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, can reduce referral delays and improve patient outcomes when proper protocols and training are in place. However, it also noted the importance of ethical standards to avoid misuse of imaging resources.
According to Medscape, High-resolution MRI and HRCT imaging are routinely used to evaluate auditory and vestibular conditions such as Bell’s palsy, sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), tinnitus, and hereditary hearing impairment, with specific protocols tailored to identify retrocochlear or anatomical abnormalities. In cases of SSNHL and unilateral tinnitus, MRI helps detect causes like vestibular schwannoma, while HRCT is recommended for detailed assessment of temporal bone and middle ear pathologies, including chronic otitis media. Laboratory investigations and genetic testing may also be indicated for certain conditions to establish underlying etiologies and guide further management.
Ross Cushing, CEO of Live Better Hearing + Balance, praised Dr. Jamie Oberman’s educational presentation: “Dr. Oberman’s presentation was one of the most insightful and engaging sessions our team has attended in years, bringing clarity to a complex topic. His expertise has made a meaningful impact on our clinicians, particularly in their collaboration with ENTs. We deeply appreciate his generosity and knowledge, and we’re proud to champion his work.”
Dr. Jamie Oberman, MD, FACS, is a board-certified otolaryngologist and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons who earned his B.A. from Boston College. He completed his Pediatrics and General Surgery Internships as well as his Otolaryngology residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA, and subsequently served as a staff otolaryngologist in Okinawa, Japan, and Jacksonville, FL, where he was also President of the Medical Staff and Communication in Healthcare Course Director. Dr. Oberman was recognized as the U.S. Navy’s “Undersea Medical Officer-of-the-Year” in 1999, was named “Best of Otolaryngology” by Jacksonville Magazine in 2011, and after his military retirement in 2017, joined Becker ENT (an affiliate of the University of Pennsylvania System) as the inaugural Medical Director for Patient Experience. In 2018, he helped to establish the Otolaryngology department at Frederick Health Medical Group in Maryland, and currently serves as the provider of Frederick Breathe Free.
