Autoimmunity in Inner Ear Disease

Inclusion Criteria: * Have sensorineural (nerve/inner ear) hearing loss of at least 30 dB in each ear, which has rapidly progressed. * Are in good general health. * Are sterile or use contraception (if a woman of child-bearing age). * Are able to speak and understand English or Spanish. Exclusion Criteria: * Have had any previous reaction to prednisone, or history of psychiatric reaction to corticosteroids. * Have used corticosteroids for more than 30 days within the past 90 days. Patients who have been off corticosteroids for at least 30 days may be eligible. * Have any significant heart, lung, digestive, blood, or neurologic disorders. * Have tuberculosis (TB), brittle or unstable insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, active malignancy or prior chemotherapy, pancreatitis, active peptic ulcer disease, kidney failure, history of shingles, or known (other) autoimmune disease. * Have had a positive test for HIV, hepatitis C or B. * Have any type of middle ear disorder. * Are breast-feeding or pregnant.