I have just been reading some posts that mention hearing loss. After 9 months on pred. I have a marked hearing loss. Is this common? Is the PMR or the pred.?? I wonder why it happens, and how common it is for hearing to improve when on a lower dose.
Hearing loss while on prednisilone: I have just... - PMRGCAuk
Hearing loss while on prednisilone
![humlies profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/94b44fb04b7d473f970302c9d65cf8df_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![humlies profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/94b44fb04b7d473f970302c9d65cf8df_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
![PMRpro profile image](https://images.hu-production.be/avatars/0552c0a893f8293c57ee1b3703b6cef8_small@2x_100x100.jpg)
Are you sure it is the pred and not the autoimmune condition? It is known that hearing loss can be part of GCA and is seen sometimes in PMR - possibly because the patient has LVV and the blood flow to the 8th cranial nerve is reduced as a result.
PMRGCA NE funded the primary research that led to this NHS-funded study:
Jinasc shares a useful medical article about this lesser known effect of GCA. I hope she can share it again, in case it has some relevance in your case.Presumably, you have already sought medical advice? If not, please do. You may find it included in the threads, to the right of your screen, that discuss hearing loss.
Firstly have you had your ears looked at, to check for wax and fluid behind the ear drum? I’ve never had excess ear wax until I went on Pred and it was worst below 10mg when allergy type symptoms kicked in. In the end after lots of oiling I had to have them irrigated. Both can cause tinnitus and hearing loss. About 18 months to diagnosis with GCA I had sudden hearing impairment that was seen on testing but not considered enough to warrant further investigation. It is thought now that the 8th cranial nerve can be damaged due to vasculitis in the head area with GCA.
Before my PMR diagnosis I had a long run of severe ear infections, bad enough to swell and close my whole ear. I now wonder if this was the forerunner to everything (Vasculitis) that has followed. Since Pred my ears have normalised and resumed producing ear wax. I do experience slight tinnitus occasionally. I also have a narrowed throat, chronic phlegm and my nose is often blocked. This is only ever treated in the acute by my GPs and no link is made with my autoimmune diseases or medication. My son is convinced that none of us breathe properly and has given me the book Breath by James Nestor. I am finding it fascinating and am trying to breathe in a healthier way.
Thank you so much for your reply. I will remember the 8th cranial nerve, and will ask the rheumatologist - if I ever see her again!
Hello. My gradual hearing loss over time - many years - was due to Crohns - another autoimmune condition. When I had sudden bi lateral hearing loss, it turned out to be caused by an underlying autoimmune condition. I suspect it was my first GCA symptom, as at the time the Crohns was fully under control.
The Prednisolone was never in question.
The things we have to put up with. Never ending!!
I am down to 1 mg and never had GCA but definitely hear a lot less.
64 def applies to me. 😩
In my tiny mind, I am 36 but if I look in the mirror the illusion is shattered or when I walk (feet hurt). You just have to keep going.