Inner Ear Infection Symptoms: What to Look For
Inner ear infections, also known as labyrinthitis, can be a source of considerable discomfort. They are caused by inflammation in the inner ear, which can lead to impairment in both hearing and balance. It is important to recognize the signs of an inner ear infection in order to get treatment as soon as possible. Here’s what you need to know about the symptoms of an inner ear infection.
Note: the information in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and does not substitute for any kind of medical advice. Always consult with a medical professional in your area regarding your particular situation and circumstances.
What is an inner ear infection?
There are several types of inner ear infections that can affect your hearing and balance. Labyrinthitis is an infection of the labyrinth, a network of fluid-filled canals in your inner ear responsible for sending signals to your brain about your body’s movement and orientation relative to gravity. One part of the ear (the cochlea) is the organ of hearing, while another part of the inner ear (semicircular canals, utricle, and saccule) is responsible for the inner’s sense of balance, known as the vestibular system. Unfortunately, an infection that causes inflammation of the inner ear can cause intense and unpleasant symptoms.
What causes inner ear infection symptoms?
An inner ear infection is usually caused by a viral infection, or less commonly from bacterial infection. Viral infections can cause inflammation in the inner ear. The symptoms will vary depending on which part of the ear is affected. Symptoms of labyrinthitis include intense dizziness, vertigo (loss of balance or spinning sensations), tinnitus (ringing in the ears) nausea, vomiting, and hearing loss.
Is vestibular neuritis different than labyrinthitis?
Vestibular neuritis, also called vestibular neuronitis, occurs when there is inflammation of the vestibulocochlear nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. The result is that the brain doesn’t receive clear input from the balance part of the ear, which results is dizziness and vertigo. Symptoms are intense vertigo for several days, but hearing is not typically affected.
Can a middle ear infection lead to an inner ear infection?
In some cases, middle ear infections can spread to the inner ear. However, the inner ear infection may also come from an upper respiratory infection that spreads. Cases of labyrinthitis may also come on unexpectedly or can be triggered by another infection that spreads.
Symptoms
The most common symptom associated with all types of inner ear infection is dizziness or vertigo. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), feeling off-balance or unsteady on your feet, temporary hearing loss, permanent hearing loss in some cases, difficulty concentrating due to fatigue or anxiety caused by dizziness/vertigo episodes and/or ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Middle Ear Infection Symptoms
In addition, people with middle ear infections may experience fever, pain behind or inside the ear canal area(s), headache, congestion due to mucous buildup behind the eardrums (known as otitis media with effusion), muffled hearing, drainage from behind eardrums (typically pus-like matter) when pressure builds up within infected areas causing eardrums within affected areas bulge outwardly due to swelling pressure on surrounding tissues etc., swelling in or around the ears such as jaws/neck area etc.
Who is most commonly affected?
Adults between 30 to 60 years old most commonly experience inner ear infections. If you’ve had chicken pox as a child, the virus can lie dormant for years before re-emerging and causing inflammation in the vestibular nerve. The resulting inflammation in the inner ear then contributes to the symptoms on the vestibular system.
How long do symptoms last?
Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis both have an acute phase that may last several days to a few weeks. Labyrinthitis can cause severe hearing loss in the early stages. Unfortunately, severe vertigo can be very intense during those immediate hours after onset. Effects on the balance system may linger for weeks afterwards.
How is it diagnosed?
A hearing test and a balance examination will determine how hearing and balance are affected. These tests are typically performed by an audiologist. A physician will also do a physical exam and a neurological assessment.
What about treatment?
To manage the inner ear infection, a physician may prescribe antiviral or antibiotic medication depending on whether they suspect bacterial labyrinthitis or viral infections. Additionally, a course of steroids can help to reduce inflammation and potentially restore hearing. However, many people continue to feel dizzy for days or weeks after the initial onset. A vestibular suppressant can help to make you feel more comfortable for the short term. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises and vestibular rehabilitation therapy can help to compensate and regain balance function.
What are other causes of dizziness?
One of the most common causes of vertigo (sensation of rotary motion) is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, also called BPPV. When a small piece of otoconia (sometimes described as a “crystal”) floats in the fluid filled channels of the inner ear, it can induce episodes of vertigo. The best way to treat this condition is with a maneuver, such as the Epley maneuver, to reposition the floating particles.
Other types of dizziness that cause balance problems may originate from the ear, while some relate to other causes.
Conclusion:
Inner ear infections need timely treatment. Knowing about inner ear infection symptoms can help you seek medical attention quickly if necessary. If you believe you have an inner ear infection it’s important that you seek medical advice right away so that any potential complications can be avoided.
