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

Quite possibly a cochlear implant may be worth exploring if a bicross hearing aid doesn't work well Many people do well with bimodal equipment; cochlear implant and hearing aid. They work well together, and the brain learns to mesh both technologies.

All the research I've read on sudden hearing loss and steroids says this treatment needs to be done almost immediately to be effective. It's also rather mystifying to know what caused the sudden loss in the first place.

Keep in mind that most sensorineural hearing loss does not relate to the auditory nerve; it relates to the hair cells in the cochlea. We've often been told that we have 'nerve deafness', which gives us a distorted idea of what is going on. Cochlear implants work because the auditory nerve can be stimulated electronically to send sound signals to the brain. Pretty amazing stuff!

Are you familiar with the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles?

In Sept 2021 I lost hearing in my left ear. I went to an ear dr. And he put me on steroids for a week.. I haven't been back. Steroids didn't help. Not totally deaf. Planning on going to a Audiologist clinic. The first dr said it was dark behind my ear drum..

Hi @jlibe, I added your post to the Hearing Loss group too. I'm glad that you went to your doctor right away. Sorry the steroids didn't help. Was the hearing loss in your left ear sudden? When will you see an audiologist?

I should be going soon

Yes my hearing in left ear was sudden

Thanks for the additional information, @jlibe. I have moved your question about sudden hearing loss and what to do after steroids fail to this existing discussion.
- Sudden Hearing loss--options after steroids are ineffective? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sudden-hearing-loss-options-after-steriods-are-ineffective/

I did this so that you can connect with other members who have had a similar experience like @mikepa @mtnyankee @dwi @aviorrok @eileen123 @nurseheadakes. You can also read their posts.

Have you had any viral infections lately. The COVID virus has been noted to cause sudden lost of hearing also -either at the time of infection or thereafter. The hearing loss does not come back. Researchers are studying all of the side effects of this SARS-2 virus which includes many brain related side effects since it passes through the blood brain barrier and also gets through our respiratory system. If the steroids' don't help, then begin direct help with hearing loss evaluations, balance exercises, vision review and all things - brain assessments to be sure you know that all systems are functioning as they should. Often if one sensory system is off, the others also become injured or disrupted. Identify what symptoms you are feeling and when. Track these since they are different from what you have experience before. These need to be reported and given to the manufacturers if you suspect this is from the vaccines/covid virus. All manufacturers are studying these hearing loss stories and need this information IF you are one of them. I report my increased instances of Migraines, headaches and tinnitus to the manufacturer Pfizer so they can track my symptoms on a regular basis. If we don't do this - the numbers are skewed and reflect wrong statistics because the public neglects to be involved. Report everything to your doctors and press them to be involved. 50% is you and 50% is your healthcare providers. Your hearing health is in the line here...

Went to a Audiologist today. I only have 12% hearing in left ear. See ent guy on

@jlibe, I moved your update to the discussion where you were sharing your story about sudden hearing loss. I'm sorry to hear that the audiologist confirmed that you only have 12% hearing in your left ear. How is your hearing in the right ear?

When do you see the ENT specialist? What are the next steps?

How much are these hearing aids.. My ent said a hearing aid for both ears one ear better than the other was my only option. Cochlear?