Inner Ear Disorders

The human ear is divided into outer, middle and inner ear. Besides being the organ that facilitates hearing, ears also help in maintaining the balance and equilibrium of the body. When the sound waves pass through the outer ear, they reach the middle ear and get transmitted from the ossicles present in the middle ear to the innermost section of the ear. The innermost section of the ear comprises the cochlea and the vestibular system. The cochlea controls the hearing whereas the vestibular system controls the sense of balance. When the vibrations are transmitted to the innermost section or the labyrinth, it senses these nerve impulses and sends signals to the brain. These are then recognized as sounds. Whenever the labyrinth gets inflamed, it can cause hearing problems. Since this part of the ear also controls balance, an infection can also cause dizziness.

Inner Ear Problems

Since the immune system of infants or children is not completely developed, ear infections in infants are quite common. Viral or bacterial infections. Viral or bacterial infections such as mumps, meningitis, pneumonia, chickenpox and influenza can cause infections in the innermost section of the ear. Sinus or throat infections might also cause pain and a feeling of pressure in the ears.

Meniere's disease, tinnitus, autoimmune inner ear disease, ototoxicity, acoustic neuroma, perilymph fistula and allergies are some of the conditions that may affect this section of the ear. Meniere's disease is associated with the excessive fluid buildup in the innermost section of the ear. This disease is characterized by a feeling of fullness in the ear, sudden vertigo or ringing.

Tinnitus or ringing in ears occurs as a result of damage to the tiny hair cells in this part of the ear. The function of these hair cells is to pick up sound vibrations and then send these electrical impulses through the auditory nerve to the brain. When they get damaged, the sound vibrations are picked up continuously and continuous signals or impulses result in ringing. The damage to the hair cells can be caused due to loud noise, ear infections, fluid accumulation, a perforated eardrum, certain medical conditions or prolonged use of certain drugs.

Since this part of the ear also controls balance, infections can cause balance disorders. A viral infection of the vestibular nerve in the innermost section of the ear called vestibular neuronitis causes sensitivity to motion. Those suffering from balance disorders find it hard to focus on moving objects. Dizziness and motion sickness is also caused due to vestibular system disorders. Vestibular migraine and perilymph fistula are inner ear disorders. Perilymph fistula is caused due to the leakage of fluid from the innermost section of the ear to the middle ear.

Symptoms

The symptoms will depend on the type of infection one is suffering from. Here are the common symptoms that may be experienced by those who are affected by such infections or disorders:

• Hearing loss
• Ear pain
• Ringing in the ear
• Vertigo
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Motion sickness
• Slurred speech
• Jumping vision

Treatment Options

If you have been experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, you must consult an ENT specialist soon. Hearing tests, balance tests, brain function tests and imaging procedures such as CT scan or a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) can help in diagnosing the underlying condition. When the symptoms are caused due to bacterial infections, doctors would prescribe antibiotics. Sometimes corticosteroids might also be prescribed. The treatment of Meniere's disease involves the use of antibiotics along with dietary changes. A low salt diet might also help in alleviating the symptoms of tinnitus and Meniere's disease to some extent. Since such ear problems could lead to vertigo and balance problems, the patient should take rest.

This was some information on the medical conditions that may affect the innermost section of the ear. If you have been suffering from an infection or any other ear problem, consult an ENT specialist soon.