Can acoustic trauma symptoms worsen with Prednisone treatment?

Hello doctor,

I have visited this website previously.

Two months ago, I experienced an incident where a young child screamed directly into my left ear while I was holding her. The sound was extremely loud, causing vibrations in my eardrum. I have a history of Eustachian tube dysfunction in my left ear due to sinus or allergy issues, especially when flying.

The following day, I only felt slight fullness in my ear, but by the day after, I experienced heavy fullness, minor ringing, and ear pain. On the fifth day of symptoms, I began a Prednisone regimen starting at 60mg for seven days, then reducing to 40mg for three days, and finally 20mg for three days.

I am currently on the seventh day of Prednisone therapy, and it has been nearly one and a half weeks since the incident. However, a few concerning developments have occurred:

1. The symptoms in my left ear have worsened. The ringing is almost constant, whereas before, it was intermittent. The ear fullness has not improved significantly and is particularly severe in the mornings.

2. I am experiencing numerous side effects from the Prednisone therapy, which are impacting me significantly.

I am curious if it is typical for symptoms of acoustic trauma to worsen with Prednisone treatment. Additionally, based on your experience with other patients, is there hope for improvement in my case?

I have attached a hearing test conducted two months ago, which indicates hearing loss.

Kindly help me cope with this situation.

Thank you.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

In your experience, have you observed variations in patient’s responses to steroid treatment? I am concerned because my symptoms worsened on the seventh day of treatment.

Additionally, do the ancillary treatments you mentioned also alleviate ear fullness? Kindly help.

Thank you.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Yesterday, I experienced my first episode of vertigo. It was an entirely new experience for me. I felt fine one moment, then suddenly became dizzy and lightheaded. I decided to walk outside, and eventually, the symptoms improved. Currently, I haven't introduced any additional medications and am nearing the end of my tapered Prednisone course.

Despite this, I still have a clogged sensation in my left ear and ringing. Based on the history provided, what do you think could have triggered the sudden onset of vertigo? Is the sensation of a clogged ear related to my eustachian tube dysfunction? Kindly help.

Thank you.

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

I want to ask the following questions:

1. Is it normal to experience vertigo symptoms for the first time two and a half weeks after the acoustic trauma event?

2. I also sometimes feel temporary relief when I pop my ear. Is this consistent with ear fullness from acoustic trauma?

3. If there is one recommendation you have in terms of further treatment based on what I described, what would it be?

I am struggling with such a wide variety of new symptoms I have never experienced. Kindly help.

Thank you.