Can Prednisone Effectively Treat Sudden Onset Tinnitus?

Study Background

Anti-inflammatory steroid medications like prednisone have long been used as a treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), a condition in which a person loses a significant amount of hearing over the course of hours. Numerous studies have demonstrated that treatment with steroid medications, if initiated within a couple weeks of the hearing loss, can significantly improve the likelihood of hearing recovery for these individuals. Many people with SSNHL also experience tinnitus as part of the event and the tinnitus often improves with the steroid treatment, as well. As such, many have often wondered whether steroid medications might help improve sudden onset tinnitus if not accompanied by a measurable change in hearing (also called acute subjective tinnitus or AST). Well this very question was recently evaluated by a research group from China and published in the journal iScience (Li P, et al. Randomized controlled trial of prednisone in treating acute subjective tinnitus patients with normal pure-tone thresholds. iScience. 2025 Jun 9;28(7):112840). In this study, researchers randomized a group of 146 subjects with acute subjective tinnitus to receive either Ginkgo biloba or Ginkgo biloba along with a 14-day taper of prednisone pills. The severity of tinnitus was then measured in all subjects at several time points using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory survey and a visual analog scale of tinnitus loudness. 

What the Researchers Found

After 12 weeks, the group that received prednisone showed a much larger drop in THI scores compared to the control group. On average, the prednisone group’s scores dropped by about 27 points, while the control group dropped by about 15 points. This means prednisone helped reduce how much the tinnitus bothered participants by nearly 12 points more than just Ginkgo biloba alone. That difference is quite significant. At the end of 12 weeks, 29% of subjects that received prednisone and Ginkgo biloba achieved complete resolution of their tinnitus compared to just 11% of subjects who only received Ginkgo biloba alone. Their data also suggested that subjects who started the prednisone treatment within 14 days of tinnitus onset were much more likely to find relief from the therapy. The researchers checked their results using several statistical methods, and the improvement held up. In other words, the results were reliable and not likely due to chance.

What This Means for People With Tinnitus

For people with recent-onset tinnitus and normal hearing, this study offers hope for early relief. The combination of prednisone and Ginkgo biloba, given soon after symptoms start, can significantly reduce the impact of tinnitus. Timing is crucial. The earlier prednisone is started after tinnitus begins, the better the results. Once tinnitus becomes chronic—lasting longer than three months—treatments like this tend to be much less effective.

Important Considerations

All participants took Ginkgo biloba, so the benefit of prednisone is compared to Ginkgo biloba alone, not to taking nothing. Prednisone is generally safe for a short period, but it can cause side effects. Doctors weigh these risks against the potential benefits before prescribing it.

Why This Research Matters

This study is clinically significant because it provides strong evidence for an early, targeted intervention in a group of tinnitus patients who previously had few effective options. Doctors may now consider prescribing a short course of prednisone and Ginkgo biloba for patients with recent-onset tinnitus and normal hearing, helping reduce the daily burden of the condition.

Bottom Line

If you or someone you know has recent-onset tinnitus without hearing loss, talking to an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor about a short course of prednisone and Ginkgo biloba could be worthwhile. Early treatment is key. While it won’t erase tinnitus for everyone, it may significantly reduce how bothersome it is, helping people feel more comfortable and regain some peace of mind.