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SSHL recovery timeframe

at what point does a person with diagnosed SSHL, who has already been treated with oral steroids and tympanic injections of steroids, give up hope of experiencing any further hearing improvement?
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Avatar universal
I have a question about continuing with 60mg/10 day course prednisone after the 4th week of onset of SSHL in right ear?

I was prescribed a methylprednisolone dose pack by an ER Doctor 3 1/2 days after my right ear suddenly felt full of liquid with 80% diminished hearing (the usual story). Unfortunately the condition didn't improve. Also when I went to follow up with my primary care provider at the VA she misdiagnosed the problem as liquid behind the ear drum, and subsequently only gave me some antibiotics. Not knowing better I went away thinking I'd be okay (because it did feel like liquid was in my ears).

I had a hearing test done last Tuesday Dec 1st and it showed medium to severe hearing loss because of nerve damage.

That's the long and short of it. I'm scheduled for an MRI next week. After that I should have follow up with an ENT. So to my question is it worthwhile for me to continue using a steroids at this point?








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Avatar universal
Its been about nine months, I went to see my ENT, but he said he didnt see any sign of infections, both ears, painful as heck, then this morning my hearing dropped, last time I just woke up an it was gone, Im freaking out
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2 Comments
Did they do audiology to test your hearing? This will tell if it's conductive loss (best to have) or sensoneural (Ssnhl) if it is this you need prednisone and high dose ASAP!!!
Ssnhl is very rare to have in both ears, I would be seeing a different ENT and discussing other causes such as meniers disease or autoimmune disease (both can be managed with steroids/diet)
Avatar universal
Please need help!!! SSNHL is occuring for the second time, last time I lost 70 % of my hearing please help!!!!!
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2 Comments
Go and see an ENT immediately and insist on high dose prednisone!!! Is it happening in same ear as before?
How long has it been between last time it happened and now?
Avatar universal
I can understand how devastating SSHL can be.  I, too, completely lost all hearing in my right ear on March 15, 2015, as well as the feeling on that side of my face and my balance.  I have had a slight return of hearing, mostly I can hear words if they are spoken really loud, but I have distorted hearing. Things always sound high and shrill and tinny.  I also had 3 shots, plus oral steroids and after 3 weeks heard very faint shrill sounds in that ear, with continued improvement over the next 3 months.  I am hoping to be cleared to get a hearing aid in the next month by my ENT, if my hearing has remained stable enough.  I did not have any fluctuations in hearing once it began to return, so I hope your hearing has returned again since writing your post above.  Did you have a particularly stressful event or time right before your hearing loss?  I did and have always wondered if that's what caused it.
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Avatar universal
I was driving to work on October 14, 2015 and I heard what I though was an accident - a very LOUD boom.  Later that afternoon, I noticed my ears were still ringing and my left ear felt full (like I just got off an airplane).  I tried using a nasal spray for 2 days.  Nothing.  Went to general practice doctor on October 17, 2015 and was told I had fluid in my Eustachian tube, prescribed Nasonex and told to take Sudafed; if not better in a few days to follow up with an ENT.  Later that night I lost all hearing in my left ear.  First thing Monday morning, October 19, 2015, I made an appt with ENT as my sense of balance was so off and all the while I have a non-weight bearing cast on my left foot (broken 5th metatarsal bone) making things especially difficult.  I just figured I'd have the ear drained and be done with it.  That's when the ENT said I have Sudden Sensory Hearing Loss.  100% deaf in my left ear.  I had my first prednisone injection in my inner ear and started on 60 mg oral prednisone for 10 days and then step down every 3 days for the next 10 days (6/3/2/1).  After my second injection on October 26, 2015, I could actually hear words - faint words, but words.  I had my 3rd and final injection on November 2, 2015.  I am just today finishing up my last prednisone pill.  So I have been optimistic as my hearing seems to be coming back, even though the ringing is constant and does not subside I have just adjusted to it.  However....today I feel again as if my head is full and my hearing is squawky/tinny.  Has anyone experienced a set back like this?  Thanks for reading and for all the other posts.  I feel like no one around me understands what I'm going through...how devastating this is.
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Avatar universal
How is your hearing now? Did it come back at all?
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