Follow-up: my ENT just left me a message saying that he’d called in a prescription for a two week course of “high dose steroids” with taper. He sounded like he wasn’t too hopeful but didn’t think it would hurt. I think from the way he was talking at my last appointment that he believes my hearing loss was more gradual than I realize and that my ear infection merely drew my attention to it (which I have to admit is possible despite my subjective perception that my hearing has significantly deteriorated in the past four weeks). I wish I had a pre-infection audiogram for comparison.
I also got confirmation from the ENT’s office that my ABR test will be fully covered by insurance. What is more, I’ve looked into my insurance coverage with Oxford and discovered that they will cover the full cost of hearing aids in the event that I need them, subject only to deductible (which has already been met for the year) and $100 copay. This is the first time I’ve been glad of our recent switch from Anthem BCBS.
Yes, I took 850 mg of amoxicillin three times daily for 10 days. I’ve had amoxicillin numerous times in the past without negative effects, but I realize that such things can be unpredictable.