Our ears are complex organs that play a vital role in our hearing and balance. They can detect extremely quiet sounds, isolate specific sounds, and determine whether noise is coming from near or far.
Unfortunately, hearing problems are all too common, ranging from minor issues like earwax buildup to more severe problems like inner ear infections.
Let’s take a closer look at the anatomy of the ear, the different ear tests, and the different treatments for inner ear infections.
Anatomy of Ear and Common Ear Problems
The ear can be divided into three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear.
The outer ear comprises two parts: the auricle (the part of your ear that is visible) and the external auditory canal (the tube that leads to your middle ear). The outer ear collects and distributes sound waves into your middle ear.
The middle ear contains three small bones called ossicles. These ossicles carry sound vibrations from your eardrum to your inner ear.
Your inner ear is filled with fluid and contains your cochlea (the innermost part of your ear) and semicircular canals. Your cochlea converts sound vibrations into electrical impulses sent to your brain. Your semicircular canals are responsible for balance.
Many diseases and conditions can affect ears and hearing, including infection, eustachian tube dysfunction, swimmer’s ear, ruptured eardrum, otosclerosis, and more.
Ear Tests
Several different ear tests can be used to diagnose hearing problems and other ear disorders. Some of the most common hearing tests include:
- Pure-tone Testing. This is a simple hearing test where you wear headphones and raise your hand when you hear a “beep.” This tells your primary care provider the quietest sound you can hear at different frequencies.
- Middle Ear Tests. This test can tell your healthcare provider how well your eardrum is working and determine if your eardrum is ruptured.
- Speech Testing. This test helps determine how well you can hear and repeat words.
- Auditory Brainstem Response. This test involves placing electrodes on the patient’s head to record their brain activity. This test helps primary care providers see how a patient’s brain responds to sounds.
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs). This test determines the working of the cochlea. When the sound gets to your ears, the hairs inside your cochlea vibrate. That vibration makes a soft sound that goes back into your mid ear (called an OAE). People with severe hearing loss don’t produce any OAE at all.
Inner Ear Infection and Its Treatment
Otitis Interna or inner ear infection refers to any condition in which parts of your inner ear become irritated or inflamed. Because the inner ear controls hearing and balance, individuals with inner ear infections may experience a wide range of symptoms associated with hearing and balance.
Common symptoms include:
- Balance problems
- Vertigo
- Fluid drainage
- Dizziness
- Hearing issues
- Nausea and vomiting
- A feeling of fullness in your ear
- Ringing in your ear (tinnitus)
- Headaches
- Ear pain
Treating inner ear infections is essential because, if left untreated, ear infections can cause permanent hearing damage or loss. Antibiotics are typically the first line of treatment for inner ear infections caused by bacteria. However, if the infection is viral, antivirals will be prescribed.
In most cases, your primary care provider may prescribe other medications to help manage your symptoms.
For example, steroids are often prescribed to ease inflammation, antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine, fexofenadine, or loratadine) are recommended for vertigo or dizziness, and antiemetic (such as prochlorperazine) or a vestibular suppressant (such as meclizine) are prescribed for nausea and vomiting.
Treating Inner Ear Infection in Colorado Springs, CO
Ears and hearing are essential for our everyday lives. Any impairment in ears or hearing can have a significant impact on our quality of life.
At Abundance Health Care, our highly trained and compassionate Dr. Bruner-Hill provides high-quality, comprehensive health care for a comprehensive range of acute health conditions, including inner ear infections.
If you would like to schedule your consultation with Dr. Bruner-Hill, call us today at (720) 869-0547 or fill out our online appointment request form.
