Symptoms of Inner Ear Problems

The ear is one of the most vital sensory organs of the human body. It comprises three major parts: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The outer ear includes the pinna and ear canal. It is separated from the middle ear by an eardrum. The middle ear is an air-filled space present behind the eardrum. It consists of three small bones namely the incus, malleus and stapes. The inner ear consists of the hearing and balance organs. There may be various problems associated with the inner ear. An infection is one of the most common inner ear problems.

Inner Ear Problems

Inner ear infections are also called otitis interna or labyrinthitis. These infections are generally a result of an infection in other parts of the ENT (ear-nose-throat) region such as sinus, throat, etc. Inner ear problems may also be caused by fungal or viral infections and may accompany other illnesses such as influenza, mumps, or measles. Some other inner ear problems are autoimmune inner ear disease, acoustic neuroma, Meniere's disease, ototoxicity, perilymph fistula, migraine associated vertigo, silent seizures, and allergies.

Symptoms of Inner Ear Problems

Symptoms of inner ear disorders may vary in severity from person to person, depending upon the underlying condition. Some of the general symptoms are dizziness, vomiting, nausea, vertigo, pain felt as a blunt headache along the sides and temples, ringing in the ear (tinnitus) and loss of hearing which may be partial or total. Loss of hearing is quite common in case of inner ear infections. Ringing in the ear as well as other sounds such as popping, cracking, or clicking sounds are also very common. You may experience a lot of pressure and pain in your ears. There may be sensitivity to loud noises.

You may also experience disturbance in normal vision. You may experience blurry or double vision with sensitivity to bright light. Some people may experience bouncing or jumping vision. Any visual stimulation may trigger dizziness. This happens because an inflammatory condition in the inner ear may put some amount of pressure certain ocular nerves. There can also be muscle and joint pain along the neck, headache and stiffness of the limbs along with a tingling sensation on the top of the head, arms, and legs are other symptoms. Any painful sensation in the limbs and areas below the neck are usually caused by a viral infection.

In rare cases, there may be some emotional or psychological problems such as anxiety and panic attacks. The person may feel depressed, tired and frustrated. He/she may lose interest in routine activities. These, however, are common psychological side effects of general ill-health.

Some symptoms of severe or chronic inner ear illness are motion sickness, confusion, forgetfulness, slurred speech, heat and cold intolerance, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Inner Ear Problems

Inner ear problems can be diagnosed on the basis of a hearing test, Electronystagmography (ENG), ECOG, Posturography or Platform test, the Rotary Chair test and imaging tests such as X-ray, CT scan and MRI scan.

For most inner ear problems, a low-salt, caffeine-free diet is recommended. You see, inner-ear problems and caffeine intake do not get along well as caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and its intake makes the symptoms of inner ear disorder (especially headache and dizziness) appear more pronounced. Hence, it is advised that one reduces caffeine intake as much as possible till the condition is completely treated. Excess sugar in the diet also triggers dizziness. In case of Meniere's disease or endolymphatic hydrops, diuretics are given to eliminate excess fluid retention. A low-salt diet is recommended to tackle high-blood pressure issues as high blood pressure is likely to give you a headache and make you feel dizzy and off-balance and when you are already coping with similar inner ear infection symptoms, you definitely don't want any more of them!. Certain medications such as benzodiazepine drugs are useful in treating inner ear problems. Botox injections are also helpful to relieve the symptoms of tinnitus. Vestibular therapy is found to be effective in many people with inner ear problems. However, remember that before taking any treatment, you should consult your physician.