The terms 'nerve related hearing loss' and/or' nerve deafness' are often used to describe various types of hearing loss. It doesn't matter if it's sudden or progressive. In most cases of hearing loss that is considered 'sensorineural' which involves the entire hearing mechanism. In most cases the auditory nerve that sends signals to the brain for interpretation is functional. However, due to damage in the inner ear (cochlea) it is not stimulating that auditory nerve. Thus, the term 'nerve deafness. In this instance, the potential treatment is likely to involve bypassing the cochlea to get signals to the brain for interpretation. This is where cochlear implants enter the picture.

Did any of the medical providers mention cochlear implants if/when the treatment they suggested and provided did not work?

As a cochlear implant recipient myself, who was told because I had 'nerve deafness' there would never be anything that could help me, I strongly suggest, that if your hearing does not come back after steroid treatment, that you seek information about the cochlear implant option.

http://www.hearingloss.org http://www.acialliance.org http://www.hhf.org are all good resources for information.