Patients will be considered for enrollment in the study (inclusion criteria) if:
They are between the ages of 18 and 80; are diagnosed with sudden hearing loss of unknown cause at Northwestern Medicine (Chicago) within the first 30 days after the sudden loss of hearing (the sooner the better); have not been treated previously; and are fluent in English.
Patients cannot participate if they are or have any of the study exclusion criteria. Here are some examples. The full list is available before consenting to join the study.
Children
Prisoners
Pregnant or nursing women
Autoimmune inner ear disease
Middle ear inflammation or effusion
Ototoxic medication (medications with a toxic effect on the functioning of the ear, which may lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss and balance problems)
Genetic disorders affecting hearing
Hyperviscosity syndrome (blood thickens and does not flow properly through the body)
Diabetes
Use of statins within the last 1 month
Allergy, hypersensitivity or intolerance to any components of the study medication
Prior otologic surgery other than ventilation tubes
Severe systemic neurologic disease
Oral steroid treatment within the preceding 2 weeks
COVID-19 immunization within the last 30 days
Patients that medically cannot be treated with corticosteroids or statins
Patients taking certain drugs that will interfere with the study.