Sudden Hearing Loss: What are options if steroids don't work?

I lost all hearing in my left ear 13 days ago. Within the first 3 days, I had gone to urgent care and was informed that I had fluid in my ears and to take allergy medications. And, after a week, I followed up with my PCP, who did not see any fluid retention and referred me to an ENT and Audiologist. The audiologist shared that I have profound hearing loss in my left ear and was skeptical that I would be able to regain hearing. Currently, I'm on a regimen of Prednisone and am 3 days into taking it. But, I'm disheartened by all of the comments that highlight its limited impact on my SSHL diagnosis. I meet with my ENT again in a week to have additional tests and steroid injections. I will also have an MRI done. I am very concerned because I am starting to get tinnitus in my right ear although the audiologist mentioned I tested fine. I am researching as much as I can on my next steps. Apparently, one should have a cochlear implant within the first 6 months of SSHL diagnosis ---because our brains will start to otherwise find other neural patterns for sound recognition. I can't tell if my hearing loss was brought on by stress or Covid, which I experienced 4 months ago....I don't think I'll ever know. Reaching out to this community on any personal guidance or recommendations.

I lost all hearing in my left ear 13 days ago. Within the first 3 days, I had gone to urgent care and was informed that I had fluid in my ears and to take allergy medications. And, after a week, I followed up with my PCP, who did not see any fluid retention and referred me to an ENT and Audiologist. The audiologist shared that I have profound hearing loss in my left ear and was skeptical that I would be able to regain hearing. Currently, I'm on a regimen of Prednisone and am 3 days into taking it. But, I'm disheartened by all of the comments that highlight its limited impact on my SSHL diagnosis. I meet with my ENT again in a week to have additional tests and steroid injections. I will also have an MRI done. I am very concerned because I am starting to get tinnitus in my right ear although the audiologist mentioned I tested fine. I am researching as much as I can on my next steps. Apparently, one should have a cochlear implant within the first 6 months of SSHL diagnosis ---because our brains will start to otherwise find other neural patterns for sound recognition. I can't tell if my hearing loss was brought on by stress or Covid, which I experienced 4 months ago....I don't think I'll ever know. Reaching out to this community on any personal guidance or recommendations.

@sshlpt In my opinion, your audiologist is right. Sudden hearing loss can be corrected but there is a small window, about 5 days from onset, when steroids help. The positive news is that a cochlear implant may get your hearing back. I don't know if hearing will return on its own once we have sudden hearing loss. I had loss of taste and smell at one time (well before covid) but those functions slowly returned after about a year. I did not have an injury. An MRI revealed no abnormalities.
Your tinnitus is interesting since it's in the opposite ear. There is no cure for tinnitus but some folks find that a hearing aid or cochlear implant causes the symptoms to disappear. Not sure in your case since the amplification will be on the opposite ear.
I hope you find relief and would be interested in hearing a follow up.
Tony in Michigan

Be cautious about too much prednisone. I am now having a total hip replacement due to vascular necrosis. When I inquired about cause my orthopedic surgeon said only known case is prednisone! I had multiple infusions and took high prednisone doses to try to save my hearing - I had Ménière’s disease in both ears. I now have severe hearing loss and a vascular necrosis in both hips!

When you say you HAD Ménière's disease it implies a cure. I have it and while the vertigo has been in remission for a number of years the other symptoms were not. How did your Meniere's play out? I ended up with a CI in one side, and at the moment, a hearing aid in the other.

Tony, when you say tinnitus may disappear do you mean become less (or even unnoticeable) for the time that the hearing aid or cochlear implant are in use? I think it probably comes back as soon as you remove the aid or processor. For me keeping busy, even if it's quiet busy, say reading, is the best way for me to not notice my tinnitus. The CI helps, the hearing aid on the other side less so.

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Adult onset hearing loss is challenging because it comes at us as a major life loss. It is surprising how common SSHL is. From all conversations and information I have, if it is not treated with steroids within a few days of onset, the odds are slim that hearing will come back. Then again, in rare cases it does come back. Still, hearing loss occurs for different reasons, and it seems that everyone is affected differently. Consequently, hearing loss remains a mystery for so many, including those researchers who are working hard to find cures for hearing loss and tinnitus.

I encourage you to think positive. Technology has improved greatly in recent years. Hearing aids are worth trying. There are bicross hearing aids that will pick up sound on a 'deaf side' and transmit it to the 'good side'. If they do not help, a cochlear implant may be your best solution. CIs have been miracles for thousands of people with all types of hearing loss, including SSHL. The criteria for consideration of a CI now includes those with single sided deafness. That was not the case only a few years ago.

It's extremely important for you to protect the hearing in your better ear. Avoid noisy settings unless you wear ear plugs that are well fit. When you have the MRI, insist on well fitted ear plugs being used during the MRI process because it creates extreme noise.

Tinnitus is related to hearing loss but often occurs without it. I hope you are able to screen it out. Many say it comes on with stress, caffeine, alcohol, environmental noise, some medications, etc. It may help to try eliminating some of those things to see if it changes.

I am sure my own hearing loss is a result of genetics and exposure to noise. However, it was progressive and gradual over many years. When diagnosed I was given zero hope for help of any kind, but that was in the 1960s! Today, as a cochlear implant recipient who also uses a high quality hearing aid and other technology when needed (BlueTooth, Telecoils, Hearing Loops, etc.), I remain comfortable in the hearing mainstream. NOTE: My cochlear implant was done years after my diagnosis. If you go the CI route, your brain will likely retain it's ability to understand speech and appreciate music. You will benefit from aural rehabilitation, much of which you will do yourself. (Listen to audio books, etc.) Take time to do the research. Ask questions. Learn from other CI recipients. There is a lot of information at http://www.hearingloss.org and also at http://www.acialliance.org

Don't give up hope. Learn all you can. Pleased that you have come to MCC.

I had sudden hearing loss is one ear in 2014. Normal MRI, started steroids 3 days later but it didn't do anything. My question now is that I have gotten used to using one hearing aid but I am wondering if it would be worth it to try the device that would transmit the sound to the hearing aid I hear with. I would appreciate feedback from anyone who has experience using this system after using a single device for so many years. It took me a few years to adjust to one.