Hearing problems can develop in individuals for several reasons. While some of the conditions may be congenital, meaning they are born with it, others may develop over a period of time. Some types of ear diseases may cause pain and result in serious hearing impairment. It is essential in identifying the symptoms of ear conditions to avail the proper early treatment and to prevent the onset of any complications.
Autoimmune inner ear disease
This condition occurs when the body’s immune system accidentally attacks the inner ear. This syndrome can result in the progressive hearing loss and dizziness. In most cases, it is accompanied by tinnitus which can develop over a couple of months. Some of the autoimmune diseases that can cause AIED include Cogan’s disease, ulcerative colitis, lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. This is a rare condition that accounts for less than 1% of all the cases of hearing impairment. The common treatments for the autoimmune condition include medications to suppress the immune system.
Cholesteatoma
This is commonly caused by an infection that presents the abnormal skin growth in the middle ear. The abnormal growth can increase in size and affect the bones of the middle ear. This can cause hearing loss, dizziness and the severe cases can have paralysis of facial muscles. The symptoms of this condition include the ear drainage that may be foul in odor, feeling pressure, discomfort in the ear and tinnitus. Cholesteatomas can be dangerous if left untreated that can cause brain abscess and meningitis.
Meniere’s disease
This disease affects the inner ear and is also known as the labyrinth. This chronic disease has no cure and presents the recurring symptoms resulting from the excessive amount of fluid called endolymph accumulating in the inner ear. Although the exact cause of meniere’s disease is not known, it is believed to be associated with viral infection, autoimmune reaction, a genetic condition and circulation problems. Some of the symptoms include dizziness, balance disturbance, sound sensitivity, fluctuating hearing loss, ear fullness, tinnitus and vertigo. The treatment is usually based on reducing the severity of the attack of this disease and includes medications to reduce vertigo and help with the imbalance.
Otosclerosis
This condition presents the abnormal bone growth in the middle ear which prevents the proper function of the structures within the ear and results in the hearing loss. Based on the structure of the ear affected, the hearing loss varies. The common type of hearing loss is conductive which is the problem of the outer or the middle ear, although sensorineural hearing loss may also occur which is the damage of the inner ear. The common symptoms of otosclerosis include the hearing loss as most individuals find that they are unable to hear the low-pitched sound. In most cases, the treatment option for this condition is the surgery that places a prosthetic device to transfer the sound waves to the inner ear.
References
http://vestibular.org/cholesteatoma
http://vestibular.org/menieres-disease
http://vestibular.org/otosclerosis