Ear in the Chamber

Mariusz Madalinski, a physician living and practicing in England, experienced his own health crisis during a holiday in Sardinia. While relaxing on the beach, he was struck by idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Upon his return to England, he learns of a controversial treatment called hyperbaric oxygen therapy. But to his surprise, the treatment isn't offered in British hospitals, despite the fact that the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society-an international, nonprofit organization-approved hyperbaric oxygen therapy for his disease.

When Mariusz discovers that physicians in his home country are practicing the therapy, he returns to Poland, and day by day, during stints in the historic cities of Gdynia and Gdansk, he slowly recovers his hearing.

A fascinating story that includes observations about the Olympic Games in London, summer in Paris, and life as an emigrant, Mariusz's experience as both doctor and patient provide a unique and hopeful perspective for those suffering from sudden hearing loss.