Tinnitus Spike After Prednisone and Dexamethasone Injection

[kap]

Hi all,

I've had some mild tinnitus in my left ear for about ten years. It never really impacted my quality of life much, but I was always aware of it.

Last month, I attended a sporting event where people were using noisemakers, and I didn't have my earplugs with me. Afterward, I noticed a decline in hearing in my left ear, and the tinnitus became slightly worse. I went to an ENT, and they prescribed 60 mg of Prednisone for seven days, followed by a taper.

While I was on the Prednisone, the tinnitus became much worse. It turned into a very loud, high-pitched "ssshhhh" sound with added pressure. I also experienced common side effects such as fatigue, blurry vision, shakiness, and more. I did a moderate taper, going from 60 to 40 mg, then two days at 20 mg, one day at 10 mg, and then stopped. The ENT said that was acceptable.

This past Friday, they also gave me a dexamethasone injection in my ear. I have not noticed any improvement in the hearing loss, and I am now on day two of being off Prednisone. I went back to the ENT yesterday in a panic about the tinnitus. I refused any further injections.

The ENT said he believes the tinnitus will calm down and that both Prednisone and the injection can sometimes make it worse temporarily. He advised giving it time, and said it should improve.

However, I am very scared because I have read about people whose tinnitus got permanently worse after using steroids. I am hoping others can share their experiences and offer some insight.

How long does the increased tinnitus from Prednisone typically last?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cpryce]

Hi @kap,

Has there been any improvement? I'd welcome any feedback here, as I am experiencing something very similar.

 

[kap]

Hi @kap,

Has there been any improvement? I'd welcome any feedback here, as I am experiencing something very similar.

Ugh, not really. Now I have louder and changed tinnitus, sensitivity to sound which I think is hyperacusis, lots of clicking, fluttering, and thumping in my left ear, and the worst part is the bilateral pressure.

I think it is a combination of malfunctioning Eustachian tubes and inflammation. I have been to my new ENT twice, and he keeps trying to reassure me that things will get better over the next few months, but he cannot tell me what is happening to my ears or why. He only says that he has seen this in people who have taken Prednisone and that it should improve.

I have now seen three ENTs, talked to a pharmacist, and seen my primary care provider four times. No one can explain why an anti-inflammatory medicine would cause this type of reaction.

I am currently in the process of submitting a second opinion request to ENT specialists at Mass General (associated with Harvard Medical School) to see if they have any insight. It is all out of pocket though, $950. I will post updates as time goes by.

Can you share what you are going through?

 

[cpryce]

Thanks for replying, @kap.

My tinnitus has been fluctuating six days after the Dex injection. Some days, the spike is horrendous. It quite literally roars in my head!

Interestingly, during the spike I had yesterday, my hearing was a bit sharper, but that has since changed today. The tinnitus is a bit calmer now, almost consistently at a moderate, bearable level. However, as I mentioned earlier, it has been fluctuating since the injection.

Hopefully, this is a sign that things are starting to calm down. I am scheduled to have my second injection tomorrow (yikes!), and I have my fingers crossed that it will not send me into a bad state again.