The ear is divided into three main parts: outer, middle and inner. The inner ear (also called labyrinth) deals with hearing and maintaining balance. Infection of the labyrinth is called labyrinthitis, and is commonly known as inner ear infection. Viruses and bacteria are the germs that cause this infection, though bacterial infections are rare. The treatments however, differ for both. The outer and middle ear are also prone to infections. Inner ear infection shouldn't be confused with middle ear infection, which are bacterial infections that are common in children. Labyrinthitis occurs rarely in children but is quite frequent in adults aged 30 - 60 years, so it's important to understand the symptoms of this infection.
Inner Ear Infection Symptoms
The most obvious and painful sign of an inner ear infection, is
vertigo. A patient may experience the following conditions:
- Sudden nausea
- Vomiting
- Unsteadiness and imbalance
- Impaired concentration
The extent of vertigo may vary from person to person. You could experience subtle dizziness, or a severe dizziness spell, where you feel like you are whirring or spinning. Vertigo can cause you to blink rapidly, or lose your balance while walking, standing or sitting. The change in pressure in your inner ear, due to the infection, causes vertigo.
Tinnitus is another inner
ear infection symptom in adults. It is a ringing or roaring sound, which can be heard only by you, and is not coming from your surroundings. It can be continuous or occur in breaks and is most irritating when your environment is quiet and the sound seems very loud. This symptom is a sure sign that your inner ear is infected, as false signals are being sent to your brain. Other symptoms of an inner ear infection are:
- Hearing loss in one or both ears
- Involuntary eye movement
- Fever
- Anxiety
People with allergies or those who have just recovered from viral or respiratory illnesses, are at a greater risk of labyrinthitis. Smokers and users of certain prescription drugs like aspirin, are also at risk. Inner ear infection symptoms in adults, can last up to 1 or 2 weeks, if the inflammation is detected and being treated. But if ill-diagnosed or a lack of proper treatment, labyrinthitis can cause severe damage to a patient's sense of hearing and balance system and he can suffer from chronic dizziness, even if the inflammation disappears.
Inner Ear Infection Treatment
A doctor will examine your medical history and conduct a physical exam to determine whether an infection has occurred or not. If the inner ear infection is bacterial, then antibiotics are prescribed. But most infections are viral and medicines like Benadryl, Antivert and Phenergen are given to curb the vertigo. Additional medication is prescribed to help reduce the severity of symptoms, such as vomiting. Physical therapy can also restore balance in severe cases. For the first week of your infection, the best medicine is bed rest. Avoid reading and bright lights with vertigo. Take safety precautions, like using nonskid mats at home, and removing sharp and breakable objects. Practice simple balance exercises like small head movements and balancing while sitting or standing. With the right medication and complete care, the infection can be cured in 2-3 months.
It is clear from the above signs that inner ear infection symptoms in adults are painful, and can have a debilitating effect on the nervous system and hearing abilities. So if you start feeling dizzy of late with a sudden loss of hearing, check your symptoms with this article, to see if you have an inner ear infection, and seek treatment as soon as possible.
