Facial nerve paralysis is due to inflammation around the facial nerve. Current treatment for
facial nerve paralysis is a 10 day course of oral steroids (which will reduce the
inflammation), with electrodiagnostic testing. There have been limited studies on the use of
intratympanic steroid injection, in addition to oral steroid, in the recovery of facial nerve
paralysis. There are indications that the use of intratympanic injections, in addition to the
oral steroids, will speed up the recovery rate of the facial nerve paralysis, as well as
improve the complete recovery of the facial nerve paralysis. This study will randomize
patients with facial nerve paralysis into two groups: 1) oral steroid only and 2) oral
steroid plus a 3 intratympanic steroid injections spaced out over three weeks. There are a
subset of patients that are unable to take oral steroids for medical reasons (such as
diabetes); these patients will be placed into a third group and only receive 3 intratympanic
steroid injections space out over three weeks. Subjects that are to receive the intratympanic
injection will receive pre- and post-hearing exams as part of their standard of care.
Patients will be evaluated via videorecording by two blinded investigators as well as in
person evaluations by the unblinded treating physician.
Subjects will be followed until complete facial nerve paralysis recovery or one year
post-treatment, whichever comes first.