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Common Diseases of the Ear
Cholesteatoma--A tumor-like substance growing in a confined space (usually the middle ear or mastoid) and frequently following untreated recurrent chronic otitis media
Dizziness--In general references to dizziness include feelings of being woozy, drunk, unsteady, or giddy. There is often a feeling of imbalance without a true sensation of turning or spinning. Dizziness is a general-purpose term used to describe the sensation of imbalance (sensory disorientation). Although patients often use the word dizziness to describe balance or inner ear problems, it is typically not caused by a disorder of the inner ear. Dizziness can be further diagnosed through vestibular testing.
Eustachian Tube Dysfunction--A condition of discomfort in the ear caused by pressure differences between the inside and the outside of the eardrum. ETD commonly occurs with altitude changes (flying, scuba diving, or driving in the mountains). If you have a congested nose from allergies, colds, or upper respiratory infection, ETD is more likely. Eustachian tube dysfunction is also more common in pediatric patients.
Conductive Hearing Loss--Common causes of conductive (faulty transmission of sound waves) hearing loss are wax blocking the ear, a perforated eardrum, or fluid in the ears.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss--Common reasons for sensorineural (faulty reception by nerve cells) hearing loss are long-term noise exposure, age-related changes, and ototoxic drugs. The most common cause of sensorineural deafness is aging--which produces presbycusis - literally, "old hearing." Those with “old hearing” often complain not only of hearing loss, but also of associated tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and sometimes dizziness.
Mastoiditis-- A bacterial infection of the mastoid air cells (small, air-filled cavities located in the mastoid process, which is the bulge in the skull behind the ear). If the infection persists, it may destroy the delicate structures of the mastoid. This can result in hearing loss and, without treatment, continued destruction of bone in the skull and other complications involving surrounding structures (nerves and brain) can occur.
Meniere’s Disease--A disorder of the inner ear that is marked by recurrent attacks of dizziness, tinnitus (ringing or roaring), and deafness.
Otitis Externa (Swimmer's Ear)--Swimmer's ear, also called otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal. Swimmer's ear is either caused by a fungus or bacteria. Water that remains trapped in the ear canal (when swimming, for example) can provide a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Other possible causes of this infection include the following: harsh cleaning of the ear canal, trauma to the ear canal, dry ear canal skin, foreign body in the ear canal, and eczema or other forms of dermatitis. Symptoms may include: redness of the outer ear, itching in the ear, pain when touching or wiggling the ear lobe, drainage from the ear, swollen ear canal and hearing loss.
Otitis Media--Otitis media is infection or inflammation located in the middle ear. About 75 percent of children have at least one episode of otitis media by the time they are three years of age. Otitis media can also affect adults, although it is primarily a disease that occurs most often in children. Otitis media is often the result of infections due to sore throats, colds, or other respiratory problems, spreading to the middle ear. Symptoms may include: unusual irritability, tugging or pulling at one or both ears, fever, fluid draining from ear(s), loss of balance and difficulty hearing.
Tinnitus--A sensation of noise (as a ringing or roaring) that is caused by a bodily condition (as a disturbance of the auditory nerve or wax in the ear) and can usually be heard only by the person that is affected with this condition.
Vertigo--Vertigo refers to a sensation motion that can be straight ahead, falling, or rocking. It is often described as a spinning, turning, or whirling sensation. What's more, the spinning may be one of self-rotation (a sense of self-movement in the surrounding space) or rotation of the surrounding environment (a feeling that the room is spinning is common). In most cases, the symptom of vertigo implies a disorder of the inner ear or vestibular system. Although dizziness and vertigo are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. While all vertigo is dizziness, not all dizziness is vertigo. Vertigo can be further diagnosed through vestibular testing.
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