Diseases of the Ears

The many types of diseases of the ears include a wide range of symptoms and treatments. Ear diseases can affect various parts of the ear and cause a significant amount of pain, discomfort, and sometimes even loss of hearing. In the event of hearing loss, it is common to experience problems in communicating and even a delay in development.

Acoustic Neuroma

• Acoustic neuroma is a tumor that grows between the brain and inner ear. It can grow slowly and causes difficulty hearing, vertigo, loss of hearing and can even damage nerves in the face. As it grows, an acoustic neuroma can damage nerves, tissue or other structures. An MRI is normally used to determine whether a patient has an acoustic neuroma and to determine its size. Depending on the size, age of the patient and other health factors, a neuorsurgon and neurotologist may remove the tumor immediately or wait.

Cholesteatoma

• If skin cells begin to grow in the wrong areas of the middle ear and mastoid, it is a result of cholesteatoma. Sometimes, the cells can also enter the inner ear or even the brain, destroying the area as it grows and erodes the bone from the middle ear to the inner ear. Those who have cholesteatoma may experience hearing loss, discharge from the ear, pus or liquid coming from the ear. Although this is not a cancerous growth, it should be removed to prevent further damage and stop the cells from spreading.

Meniere's Disease

• Meniere's is when the fluid in sacs around the ear and can cause a sudden onset of hearing loss, dizziness, ringing in the ear, and pain or pressure. This may come on suddenly or gradually, but if it is not treated properly, deafness can occur. A diagnosis of Meniere'd disease is normally made after other possibilities have been eliminated via MRI or CT scan and is made after a physical examination, which will involve tests of both hearing and balance. Medications that may be prescribed include anti-nausea medication, motion sickness medication, dieuretics to decrease fluid retention and changes in diet. In some cases, ear injections may help to improve the dizziness, and normally includes a combination of antibiotics and steroids. If the dizziness is severe, surgery may be required to reduce fluid production.

Ostosclerosis

• Ostosclerosis is when the bone of the ear is replaced with soft bone in different parts of the ear, which can cause sound to pass through the ear differently, preventing sound recognition. Because auditor processing becomes is hindered, it can create hearing loss and tinnitus. If nerves are damaged, it may not be able to be repaired and the hearing loss may be permanent. A hearing test will help to determine the extent of the damage and a CT scan may help to eliminate other possibilities. For some patients with ostosclerosis, surgery may help by removing part of the ear and replacing it with a prosthesis. Symptoms may be relieved through medication and a hearing aid.

Otitis Media

• Otitis Media is a result of improper eustacian tube function where the middle ear does not work well. If the air cannot travel through the tube, fluid fills the area and causes a loss of hearing. This is common in the cases of infection or inflammation because of a sore throat, cold or other illness. Symptoms might include irritability, problems sleeping, tugging at the painful ear, changes in balance or coordination, problems hearing, fluid and fever. A primary care physician can normally diagnose otitis media by looking in the ear with an otoscope to see if there is infection. Most physicians will treat the problem with antibiotics and may recommend a pain reliever to reduce the infection and pain. In some cases, the strain may be resistant to one antibiotic and may need several types to eliminate the infection.