General Information About Inner Ear Infection
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the inflammation and swelling caused by an infection in the organ called the labyrinth, located deep within the skull, which contains the canals responsible for the body's balance and the auditory nerves.
A middle ear infection occurs right behind the eardrum, with pain and fever being prominent. In an inner ear infection, there may be no earache; because the damage is to the balance center, severe dizziness and hearing loss are prominent.
The vast majority of cases are caused by viruses that settle in the upper respiratory tract, such as the flu, cold, or chickenpox. More rarely, bacterial meningitis or infections spreading inward from the middle ear can also cause it.
The disease starts very suddenly. It includes severe dizziness (vertigo) that prevents the person from getting out of bed, nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), involuntary eye twitching (nystagmus), and a decrease in hearing.
Diagnosis is made through neurological and ear examinations by an ENT specialist. Eye movements, balance tests, and an Audiometry test are applied to measure the degree of hearing loss. In serious situations, an MRI is requested.
Antibiotics are not given in viral cases. To get through the acute phase, medications that suppress dizziness (vestibular suppressants) and anti-nausea drugs are used. Cortisone (steroid) pills are generally added to the treatment to prevent hearing loss and resolve nerve edema.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
