I hope the prednisone is working for you, but I’m not sure that ear popping and tinnitus are symptoms of returning hearing; indeed, they are often symptoms of loss. Since my loss, I continue to have those symptoms whenever I am not wearing my hearing aids. I know that you are anxious and holding out hope for this to work—and we are all rooting for you—but the only way you will know if the prednisone is working is if your audiogram improves.
As for the increased congestion as you decrease dosage, that is to be expected as you taper off a massive dose of prednisone like you’ve been taking. As I’ve tried to explain to you before, prednisone has major withdrawal symptoms as your body becomes dependent upon it and stops producing its own supply of cortisol. You are likely to experience a return of inflammation as well as a number of other symptoms, especially at the high dose you’ve been taking. Particularly dangerous can be the mental health effects of withdrawal as a lack of cortisol messes with your brain chemistry; I recommend having someone you trust monitor your mood and watch for signs of paranoia and depression.
Note however that congestion-related hearing loss is unrelated to the sensorineural hearing loss you’ve been experiencing, and does not pose a long-term risk to your hearing. Presumably any conductive loss you’re experiencing will be temporary.