In patients with sudden hearing loss who have not responded to oral steroids one can inject steroids through the eardrum filling up the middle ear so that they can be absorbed into the cochlea (inner ear). The dose given is quite high and since it works locally there are few side effects.

The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic (applied as a cream into the ear canal) and is fairly well tolerated. Patients will need to lie with their head turned to the opposite side for about 45 minutes after the procedure

Things that can go wrong include: infection and residual perforation. Thankfully these are both rare occurrences.

*The procedure may also not improve the hearing.