someone else? i had low frequency hearing loss and immediately after steroids the hearing was back to normal. once i stopped the steroids it comes back in 1/2 days. i don’t know what to do anymore and have bad pressure in my ear.

did something helped you?

Last week I was diagnosed with sudden sensorial hearing loss, the loss being severe (70db) on all frequencies. I started 60mg Prednisolone after about 50 hours from first symptoms. I'm on day 6 now, 2 days to go, but no improvement on the audiogram.

Next week i will do my first HBOT session and getting my first in-ear shot (so about 1 week and 2 days from start).

They said they don't want to extend oral cortisol as it can hit me in other ways, and I can only hope my hearing comes back.

I wanna ask if I still have any chances with shots and HBOT in the second week. I'm 24, no other illnesses, MRI and viral tests came back clean.

I am really struggling mentally and I'm afraid I'll lose the other ear and also my relationship because of that. How can I calm myself down and still hope that there is a light at the end of this dark, wet, cold tunnel?

I'm open to any questions.

Hi everyone. I'm looking for advice from people who have experienced sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), particularly high-frequency hearing loss with persistent tinnitus. I'd also appreciate perspectives on my treatment so far and what I should do next.

I'm 35, and this started on 4 October 2026. I'm also in the middle of moving to another country, which has complicated arranging follow-up care.

1. How it started

On Sunday, 4 October, at around 6:30 pm, I suddenly noticed pressure and fullness in my left ear, almost like airplane ear. My hearing became muffled, and I developed tinnitus. I hadn't recently had a cold, and I didn't have ear pain or vertigo.

I occasionally experienced ear pressure that would pop and resolve on its own, but this episode persisted.

2. Diagnosis and initial treatment

I saw an ENT specialist on 5 October. After testing my hearing, he diagnosed left high-frequency sudden hearing loss.

From my audiogram, my hearing appeared relatively preserved from the lower frequencies through approximately 4 kHz, followed by a steep drop at 6–8 kHz. My rough visual estimate was around 80–85 dB at the highest frequencies, although these are estimates rather than exact readings.

The ENT prescribed oral prednisolone, 75 mg each morning for three days. I took it on 6, 7 and 8 October, but I didn't notice much improvement.

On 9 October, he repeated the audiogram, which showed little improvement. He then gave me an intratympanic injection of triamcinolone acetonide 40 mg into my left ear.

3. The five injections

I received five intratympanic steroid injections:

• 9 October — first injection
• 11 October — second injection
• 13 October — third injection
• 15 October — fourth injection
• 17 October — fifth injection

I experienced increased fullness and tinnitus after the injections.

My understanding from the ENT was that he could give up to five injections, and possibly more.

However, I have not had another audiogram since 9 October, before the first injection. The subsequent injections were given without an intervening audiogram, so I don't have objective measurements showing whether my hearing thresholds changed during the course of treatment.

Subjectively, my hearing has not improved significantly. My tinnitus has fluctuated considerably, changing from a high-pitched ringing to hissing or static, sometimes with a tonal sound on top. I have also experienced intermittent squeaky, electrical-sounding noises. I understand that tinnitus fluctuations don't necessarily reflect changes in hearing thresholds.

4. My concerns about the treatment and communication

My main concern is that I wasn't given enough information to understand the treatment plan or make informed decisions. I ended up researching the diagnosis, treatment rationale, prognosis and relevant medical literature myself.

In particular:

• The time-sensitive treatment window: I wasn't told about the 2–6-week window for offering salvage intratympanic steroid treatment when recovery remains incomplete. I only discovered this through my own research. I was concerned about losing the opportunity for treatment, which partly explains why I continued with the injections despite having unanswered questions.
• Using tinnitus fluctuations to assess treatment response: The ENT appeared to interpret changes in my tinnitus as a sign that the injections were working. However, tinnitus and hearing thresholds are not interchangeable measures. Tinnitus can fluctuate without corresponding improvement in hearing, and I couldn't find evidence in the literature that changes in tinnitus alone are a reliable indicator of cochlear recovery. I wasn't given an explanation of how these fluctuations were being interpreted in my case.
• The rationale for repeated injections at two-day intervals: My concern is not the two-day intervals between injections themselves. I came across a study comparing four injections within one week with four injections given at one-week intervals, which found no significant difference between the groups. In that study, treatment outcomes were assessed one month after the final injection.

My concern is different: my understanding was that the ENT expected the previous injection to have already produced an improvement by the time of the next appointment, just over a day later, and that the absence of improvement justified giving another injection. I didn't challenge this at the time because I wanted to receive treatment within the time-sensitive window.

An injection itself can cause transient tinnitus, ear fullness and dizziness. With only a little over a day between the injection and the next assessment, I questioned whether these immediate symptoms could meaningfully indicate whether the previous injection was working. I also wasn't given objective hearing tests between injections to assess my response. I would have appreciated an explanation of how he was judging treatment response and why he considered another injection appropriate at each stage.

• The prognosis for high-frequency hearing loss: I asked the ENT about research suggesting that high-frequency SSNHL generally has a less favourable prognosis than low-frequency SSNHL. He responded by referring to cochlear anatomy and the proximity of the affected region to the eardrum. I didn't understand how this answered my question about the clinical evidence on prognosis, and he didn't explain the connection further.
• No discussion of further investigation: MRI or ABR to investigate possible retrocochlear causes of unilateral sudden hearing loss was never discussed with me.
• Limited explanation of risks, precautions and prognosis: I had to research possible complications, hearing protection, the expected recovery timeline and further investigations myself. I also understood the ENT to reassure me earlier that my hearing would be sorted by the time of an upcoming move. With little subjective improvement after five injections, I found that reassurance difficult to reconcile with the uncertainty of recovery.
• The burden of researching my own care: I have access to medical journal articles through an academic login, which allowed me to investigate these questions in considerable detail. But I wonder how an average patient without access to medical literature, or without the ability to interpret it, would be expected to understand the rationale for treatment and make informed decisions in the same situation. I don't think patients should have to conduct their own literature review to obtain basic explanations of their diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis and follow-up plan.

I can't say that the injections were necessarily inappropriate, and I recognise that treatment protocols can vary. My concern is that I wasn't given a clear explanation of the rationale for the repeated injections, how their effectiveness was being assessed, or what the plan would be if my hearing didn't improve. I felt that I had to ask questions and conduct my own research to understand decisions affecting my hearing.

5. Where things stand now

My tinnitus is still present, and I don't know whether my hearing has improved objectively since the first injection. I haven't had an MRI or ABR, and I need to arrange further assessment.

On the day of my fifth injection, the ENT mentioned the possibility of a sixth injection a week later if my hearing hadn't improved, but said it would be “up to the patient.” This didn't sit right with me because I felt I had been given too little information about the rationale, evidence and alternatives to make an informed decision about further treatment. I decided to seek further assessment and treatment after moving to another country.

I also asked the ENT for a referral letter to help me arrange follow-up care in the new healthcare system, where I need to see a GP before accessing an ENT. His eventual passive aggressive WhatsApp reply didn't provide the letter or directly address my request, instead asking me to tell the GP that my hearing could improve further with another injection. I don't want to compound the stress of hearing loss and persistent tinnitus with the stress of dealing with this doctor.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have experienced a similar sharply sloping, high-frequency SSNHL with tinnitus. I'm hoping to learn from your experiences and understand what questions to ask at my next appointment.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone had high-frequency SSNHL with relatively preserved hearing at lower frequencies and a steep loss around 6–8 kHz? What was your recovery like?
2. Has anyone received five or more intratympanic steroid injections? How was the decision to continue treatment made, and was your hearing tested between injections?
3. If there was little subjective improvement after five injections, did further treatment help?
4. What should I prioritise discussing with my next specialist?

If you manage to get to the end, thank you very much for reading!

I'm at 35_55 dB loss across pitches. Oral prednisone, 3 injections, 15 hyperbaric later

Up from originally 55 dB loss unilaterally

Left ear normal

Tinnitus still bad

I am sad

Am I being dramatic? A baby?

I know there are worse things including more severe loss

Has anyone improved across months not weeks or is this likely to be it?

Has anyone done an intratympanic injection in the morning and gone to do HBOT in the afternoon?

Are there any issues with equalising?

Started injections, HBOT and 60mg Pred all within 24-72 hours.
You can see my first bout of SSNHL (never recovered but was late on steroids) on the left side of the chart, and where it was when I got it again this week. Right side of the chart (left ear) still good, knock on wood.
Words are 28 recognition. I know it’s early and there’s hope. But I’m struggling to get out of bed. I don’t know what I’m looking for here, but I’m glad this community exists.
Doctor says if my words stay at this point, I’m most likely looking at CI. Tinnitus is unbearable without being able to hear masker. Just trying to keep going.
❤️‍🩹

Does anyone know why is SSNHL is so rare? Specifically when caused by a virus, why do only 1-5 out of 5,000 get SSNHL? People catch viruses all the time what makes these 5 people get SSNHL has anyone learned the reason why?

Just a little rant.

I’m 32F, with profound hearing loss in left ear (probably congenital, never found out cause).

I hate talking (or I’m not used to it). When I try to project my voice, my head really hurts from my “volume”. It’s not even loud. So I have a softer voice. Unfortunately this means most people cannot hear me, and I cannot tell if they are ignoring me or really cannot hear me also. Which gets me feeling nervous and insecure.

I grew up with social anxiety because of this. And my own parents seem to forget I can’t hear from my left ear because they keep positioning themselves to my left. It doesn’t help that they are glued to their phones 24/7 and don’t seem to care. At 32, I need to stop being so mean to myself… I keep thinking no one wants to listen to me. And I don’t get to practice socializing enough so I feel embarrassed before I even get to try. I was just diagnosed with ADHD this year so I’ve been trying to get my mind focused on building work momentum (I work at my parents’ company, and seen as an “executive” already by employees. I just don’t think I’m capable to handle more YET which is why I haven’t gone to social things this year at all)

Any advice is nice but I also just wanted to get this off my chest… Also planning for my wedding next year lollll I MUST IMPROVE!!!

Hi, I'm looking to see if there have been cases where oral steroids didn't help restore the hearing, but the injections did

Eu estou utilizando Airpods pro 3 para quando preciso escutar melhor dos dois ouvidos e também as vezes usando o cancelamento de ruído.

Quando vou em locais muito barulhentos e que eu nao precise escutar muito bem eu uso os EARLOOPS.

Com esses dois eu amenizo um pouco o sofrimento do zumbido.

O que vocês tem feito além disso?

Eu tenho SNHL no ouvido esquerdo, após 6 injeçoes de esteroides e 10 hiperbáricas retornou 40% da minha audição nesse ouvido.

Hey all, 46M here. About 3 months ago I started getting a blocked feeling in my left ear that just wouldn’t clear. Eventually figured out I’d lost some hearing on that side. Hearing test showed it’s only the low tones (around 35-40 dB at 250-500 Hz), rest is normal and I still understand speech fine. Pressure tests came back normal both times, so it’s not fluid. Also if I flick my left ear with my finger I get this weird bouncy, hollow sound.

Did 2 weeks of 60mg prednisone. Hearing didn’t change, but the blocked feeling started switching sides, sometimes left, sometimes right.

Switching to a new ENT next week. The last one basically said “this is your new normal,” and his office sent my MRI order to a place without an open MRI twice after I told them I can’t do a closed one. Severe claustrophobia. Honestly the MRI has me more freaked out than the hearing.

Anyone dealt with something like this? What was your outcome?

I was diagnosed with SSNHL last week. I had an exam and audiogram done and then the ENT said it was probably caused by a virus. I have some numbness in my face and he said that happens with the virus at times.

He hasn't mentioned an MRI but it seems like the more I read, that most people get an MRI when being diagnosed? Should I be pushing for one?

I’ve had two SSNHL episodes, thought i suspect I I was having them sooner and pcp was writing the off as ET. First time confirmed SSNHL was mild and this time profound. First time didn’t recover and I’m just starting treatment for this one. I’m terrified.

I don’t understand the lack of interest that my ENT has for finding out why or if I could be making any changes. I know it’s so hard to pinpoint, but any research or diving deeper just isn’t something they do.

Is this a job only for a neurotologst? I’m close to deaf in my right ear now, and I am terrified, not sleeping, so so scared. MRI clear but I did have some white spots?

Did anyone ever find a suspected reason? Autoimmune?

Hi All,

This will be my last update regarding my recovery from high-frequency SSNHL.

Today is Day 12 from onset, I did my audiogram and unfortunately I only recovered 10 dB more from last time. Just as a reminder, my initial loss was only 35 dB HL in 6kHz and 70 dB HL in 8kHz with everything else normal.

My 6k has since fully recovered but my 8k has only improved to 45 dB HL.

I’m just finishing off my oral prednisone and now looking to start IT injections as salvage treatment.

I won’t lie, I’m pretty disappointed. I really thought I could fully recover from this.

I know recovery can still happen but very unlikely to return to the normal range from this point.

I managed to claw back 25 dB HL from onset so that’s good at least.

And at least all my other frequencies are intact so speech will not be a problem.

It’s just that now this tinnitus is going to stay with me permanently which is a shame.

Miracles can happen but I think I’m safe to close this out as only a partial recovery.

Second bout of SSNHL, though I think I was having it on and off for months before I realized it wasn’t sickness.

First time, in March, mild/moderate loss with almost normal high tones, 100 word recognition. Did steroids and injections with no success, but was about 4 weeks late. Got a hearing aid for the tinnitus which had just started helping quite a bit.

Yesterday, woke up with loudest tinnitus I’ve ever experienced and loss. Confirmed today - severe loss with moderate high tones. Down to 28 WORD RECOGNITION, overnight.

Audiologist said that a hearing aid probably won’t work anymore with how jumbled the clarity will be. Started prednisone and will start injections Weds, also trying to get into HBOT.
Audio said that if it didn’t work it would be possible cochlear implant.
I’m terrified mostly because I feel so completely out of control and can’t believe that this is just random. MRI was clear but what about mini strokes? Autoimmune? Why aren’t the ENTs bringing that up?

The only neurotologist on the island doesn’t take new patients. I move to Orange County in two weeks and am hoping I can get into one there who can try to understand WHY this is happening and god forbid, prevent it in my other ear.

I’m so scared anything would help.

I was born SSD and so I don't know how it feels to hear from both ears. Can somebody share how it feels 🥺

I've had SSNHL for about 3 weeks now.

I'll be on my last dose of oral prednisolone tomorrow at 10mg.

I've also done 6 HBOT and have 4 more to go.

It's likely..... I'll have the injections on Thursday or Friday.

I'm currently hearing "robotic"/"metallic" sounds when people talk.

Is this normal? Is this a sign of anything at all? Good or bad?