Inner Ear Infection – The Symptoms

Inner Ear Infection: Introduction

One of the biggest aftershock of the upper respiratory tracts infections can be an inner ear infection. Contemporary research has shown that although there are varied causes of infections of inner ear the marked symptoms are the same among patients of all ages.

What you need to know about Inner Ear Infection

These symptoms however, do vary in intensity and severity with the passage of time as the infections grow older. Not to overlook the fact that sometimes these infection symptoms may be indications of a more serious disease like brain tumor or meningitis.

The medical term for inner ear structure is “Labyrinth while “Labyrinthitis” is used to refer to group of ailments due to interferences to inner ear. Labyrinth refers collectively to two parts of the inner ears i.e. the auditory part called “cochlea” and the balancing part called “vestibule”.

Since the functionality of each part is different an infection will and almost always does result in symptoms of two types

Those effecting Cochlea causing auditory impairment (permanent of temporary) and , Those effecting vestibule causing impairment of the sense of balance.

Inner Ear Infection : Stages and Symptoms

In the early stages of the inner ear infection, as is the case with any other type of infection, the most common bodily response is fever. Firstly the calcium charbonate crystals (otolith) of the saccula (responsible for linear motion) and urticle (for angular motion) are damaged causing auditory impairments. Among these auditory impairments of an early stage inner ear infection are
Ringing noises in the ear called tinnitus and Temporary hearing loss.

Afterwards the balance system impairment starts occouring. These might have direct effects like dizziness or indirect effects of nausea and other types of motion sicknesses. Moreover the muscle and joint receptors react by giving pain signals via common headaches. These symptoms may disappear after a few days but may re-occur in some cases even after years.

In the later stages over a passage of time as nerve damage starts taking place the apparently meager symptoms turn into severe ailments now impacting the patient’s ability to function in normal routine life.

A simple jumping vision may lead to sever photo phobia and vertigo and Nystagmus (involuntary eye motion).

The third important pillar of the balancing mechanism “the joint and muscle receptors” start taking the toll and shows signs of fatigue , joint pain.

Anxiety due to disassociation of sensory organs may turn into panic attacks , forgetfulness and depression.

Lastly, in rare circumstances a series of temporary hearing losses may end in a permanent one.