The dizziness and nausea are troubling, although you're rather young to have Meniere's, which often becomes a problem when women hit menopause. If you've been taking birth control pills or some other form of hormones and recently stopped, that would be a huge red flag. The best doc to see, if there's one near you, would be a neurotologist--ENTs only have pretty basic training in vestibular problems. Please feel free to e-mail me separately if you have questions. You can send a private message by going to the home page and selecting members. Look for JoyceS.

This is my standard reply, but it is personal experience! Whenever I read of symptoms like yours I immediately think of Meneres Disease. I got my first episode at 24 and was misdiagnosed for 15 years, for some reason doctors don’t get it. The thing that finally got me better was to cut my sodium intake to less than 1000 mg a day. The low sodium will allow your body to get rid of the water or fluid in your body, in many of us the dizziness and subsequent nausea are caused by fluid build up in the inner ear. It is an easy thing to do, read labels and note how much sodium is in a SERVING, multiple that times the number of servings and suddenly the amount of sodium is really high. I found it out, when, one Saturday noon I had 3 chili dogs and potato chips, by 5 o’clock I could get off my back, on Monday when I called the doctor and he asked me what I ate, he chuckled and said I bet you were really spinning out. It will take a few days for your body to rid the sodium but if that is the issue within a week you will feel considerably better. Google Meneres Disease and check it out.

Hi Megan. You've come to a good place to get information. By discussing hearing issues you learn you are not alone. That helps. My hearing loss was diagnosed in my early 20s, and for years I thought I was the only person under age 65 who had poor hearing. Seriously, there was no way to connect with others my age. That was years ago. I then became involved in The Hearing Loss Assn. of America (HLAA), and met many people just like me. I also learned that everyone's hearing loss is unique. I've met thousands of people with hearing loss; some progressive over time like mine, and some like you who have had sudden hearing loss onset as adults. It sounds like you are doing the right thing. An ENT should be able to diagnose and treat sudden hearing loss, assuming it is treatable. From what you said about taking prednisone and the possibility of an injection, it sounds as if they are following standard procedure. Sudden hearing loss as you describe, is somewhat of a mystery. Sometimes it goes away; sometimes it doesn't. You are correct, that there is a short window of opportunity for medication to cure the problem. I hope you are one of the lucky ones for whom steroids work.

Should they not work, it's important for you to know that there are procedures and technology that can help you hear. We are living in times when medicine and technology are amazing. I have a cochlear implant that brought me back into the hearing world. I know several people with sudden onset hearing loss who have had remarkable results with cochlear implants. I also know some who have had positive results with the initial treatment that you are receiving. Think positive and know that people care. Do keep us posted on your progress and situation.