Prednisone and Dexamethasone Injection Makes Tinnitus Worse?

Posted by kap333 @kap333, May 6 5:02pm

Good evening,
I’ve had some mild tinnitus in my left ear for several years but it didn’t significantly impact my quality of life. Last month I incurred some loss of hearing at a loud sporting event with noise makers. It wasn’t terrible but I noticed I wasn’t hearing as well in my left ear. I made an appointment with an ENT, and they had me take 60 mg Prednisone for 7 days and then taper off for another 4 days. I also had an inner ear injection of dexamethasone. Over the course of taking the steroids and the shot, my hearing has not improved and in fact the tinnitus in my left ear is now completely unbearable. It is extremely loud to the point where it almost feels painful. It is all I can hear. I’m on day two of being off the oral Prednisone. I refused any additional injections. I am paralyzed with fear that this could now be permanent. Does anyone else have any experience with Prednisone and the Dexamethasone making things so significantly worse? Will it improve? Thank you for your insight.

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kap333 | @kap333 | Oct 10 8:25pm

In reply to @danadcm69 "@kap333 P.S. Could I have some kind of permanent damage?" + (show)

@danadcm69 I would also think about seeing an actual neurologist if you were having stroke-like symptoms. I know you said you had an MRI and CT but they might want to do more imaging like an MRI with IAC to look at your auditory and vestibular systems. I would follow up with both the otologist and a neurologist.

danadcm69 | @danadcm69 | Oct 11 9:19am

In reply to @kap333 "@danadcm69 I would also think about seeing an actual neurologist if you were having stroke-like symptoms...." + (show)

@kap333 Thank you so much for your input! I do have a neurologist already, so I wouldn't be a new patient. I might be able to get an appt without too long of a wait, although neurologists in this area are usually somewhat backed up. I will definitely call my new otologist and my neurologist on Monday. Hopefully I can get more help soon. I'm praying so.

kap333 | @kap333 | Oct 11 10:05am

In reply to @danadcm69 "@kap333 Thank you so much for your input! I do have a neurologist already, so I..." + (show)

@danadcm69 me too I know how scary it is!

ttutor | @ttutor | Oct 11 11:38am

Unfortunately most medications can be ototoxic and damage the hair cells or nerves in the cochlear nerve behind the head. I understand your concerns and how this may create suffering. As a 17 year tinnitus support group leader conducting voluntary education regarding tinnitus and hearing loss please feel free to private message me. I would be glad to help you.
You are not alone.

danadcm69 | @danadcm69 | Oct 13 3:57pm

In reply to @kap333 "@danadcm69 me too I know how scary it is!" + (show)

@kap333 Thank you so much for your continued support! I was able to get an appointment with my neurologist on Oct. 28th. (Yesterday I had another episode with the same symptoms that I had on Sept. 3rd that sent me to the ER at the urging of a telenurse when I called late that night.) I believe that helped me get a sooner neuro appt. I was able to change my otologist appt. by just a few days, but it's a better time of day for me. That's ok, especially since I have the neuro appt. Yesterday, I didn't go to the ER, since the symptoms didn't last as long this time, and I was pretty certain I wasn't having a stroke. I remain hopeful but it is scary, I admit!

danadcm69 | @danadcm69 | Oct 13 4:01pm

In reply to @ttutor "Unfortunately most medications can be ototoxic and damage the hair cells or nerves in the cochlear..." + (show)

@ttutor Thank you so much for your message! I don't know how to send you a private message. I'm new to all of this. Maybe you could give me instructions.

kap333 | @kap333 | Oct 13 5:48pm

In reply to @danadcm69 "@kap333 Thank you so much for your continued support! I was able to get an appointment..." + (show)

@danadcm69 since you are having these neurological episodes, it seems to me this might not be a reaction to the injection but something more neurological. I’m glad you are seeing a neurologist and a neurotologist! Keep us posted! I’m sorry you are going through this!

danadcm69 | @danadcm69 | Oct 13 7:26pm

In reply to @kap333 "@danadcm69 since you are having these neurological episodes, it seems to me this might not be..." + (show)

@kap333 I'll keep posting with updates. I appreciate your insight and encouragement. Thanks for sticking with me. It means a lot!

56huxley | @sjs1 | Oct 14 8:36am

In reply to @danadcm69 "@kap333 Thank you so much for your continued support! I was able to get an appointment..." + (show)

@danadcm69 That sounds so distressing — I can understand why you’d be frightened after that sudden change. I’ve read that sometimes ear specialists use steroids when there’s a sudden drop in hearing, even if the cause isn’t totally clear, because inflammation can occasionally play a role. But from what I’ve gathered, exposure to very loud noise can also injure the delicate inner-ear cells directly, and recovery can take time. Everyone’s reaction seems to be a little different, and sometimes the tinnitus becomes more noticeable for a while. I hope things calm down soon and that your hearing specialist can guide you through next steps.
If your ENT hasn’t done a full audiogram or MRI of the internal auditory canal, a referral to a neuro-otologist (an ENT with extra training in the auditory nerve and brainstem) is usually more helpful than a general neurologist.

danadcm69 | @danadcm69 | Oct 14 9:44am

In reply to @sjs1 "@danadcm69 That sounds so distressing — I can understand why you’d be frightened after that sudden..." + (show)

@sjs1 Thank you for your insight! I do now actually have appointments for both a neurotologist and a neurologist. I've haven't seen the neurotologist yet; I'll be a new patient. The neurologist appt. is due to stroke-like symptoms I've been having. I've had 2 episodes with this issue and went to the ER the first time. I wasn't having a stroke, but because of the symptoms recurring again 2 days ago, I set up an appt. with my neurologist too. I appreciate your response!