High-Frequency Hearing Loss Joined by Ringing in the Ears: Would Prednisone Help?

[COhearing]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone has feedback to share about my recent experience. I began to experience ringing in my ears on Thanksgiving day this year. A week later a hearing test showed high-frequency loss and the ENT put me on 10-day Prednisone course to treat what he diagnosed as an inner ear infection. Treatment seemed to help initially but as I tapered off the doses, the ringing seemed to become louder and my ears hurt (warm and plugged feeling).

A second hearing test yesterday showed the same pattern of high-frequency loss (no change). I'm now trying another round of Prednisone, thinking, "What do I have to lose?"

I've read Prednisone pros and cons on other threads here. But I am wondering if anyone has more recent experience with Prednisone to contribute? This virus/hearing loss/ringing literally came out of nowhere. I've been wearing a mask and staying home as much as possible!

Still clinging to hope that treatment will work this time. But I know the odds are against me. Anyway, thank you! And happy holidays.

 

[Darren H]

How much hearing loss in the high frequencies was there? Sounds like SSHL to me. Same thing happened to me in May. I started oral steroids on day 7 (5 day course), intratympanic injections day 17 (had three injections over a 3 week period) and started HBOT on day 19 for 10 days. I recovered all low and mid tone hearing, but high frequency (3000 Hz upwards) recovered from -100 dB to -70 dB. Unfortunately the high frequencies are the hardest to recover but depends on the amount of loss. Time is a great healer too.

 

[COhearing]

Thanks for your response. The hearing test showed high frequency loss (upwards of 4,000 Hz) occurring anywhere from 30 to 80 decibels.

What has been so strange is how much more acute the ringing has become, even during the first round of steroids. Much sharper and shrill.

I'm glad to hear you've recovered some of your hearing.