Inner Ear Infection

Inner Ear Infection (Labyrinthitis)

Ears are a key part of the human body and consist of three major sections - the outer, the middle and the inner. The inner ear is made up of fluid-filled canals, auditory (hearing) nerves, cochlea and vestibular (balance) nerves. The inner ear can sometimes become infected (or inflamed) and cause real problems. Here at ENT Sheffield, our qualified team of inner ear specialists are always on hand to help if needed.

What is an inner ear infection?

An infection of your inner ear can be something which causes real distress. Not only can it leave you feeling under the weather but it can greatly affect your ability to go about your day as normal. But what exactly is an infection of the inner ear?

In simple terms, it is an irritation or inflammation of this section of your ear. As your inner ear controls your balance and general hearing, this is quite debilitating. Problems like this can also be the result of bacteria which makes its way into your ear but usually from a virus you may have picked up.

Inner ear infection treatment in Sheffield

If you live in the Sheffield area and need specialist help with inner ear problems or outer ear infections, ENT Sheffield are the experts in this field and offer a private surgery service for ear, nose, throat and head/neck issues. Get in touch via the website today to book a consultation or call us on 0114 321 6522 to speak with our qualified ENT surgeon, Mr Wale Olarinde.

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What are the symptoms of inner ear infection?

Although you might know what causes your inner ear to become infected, how do you know when this is the case? The best solution is to keep an eye out for common symptoms. Although not everyone who has an infection in this part of their ear will have every symptom, most will have at least one. But what are they?

The most widely seen are:

- dizziness
- nausea
- loss of hearing/impaired hearing
- issues with balance
- pain in the ear
- blocked/full feeling in the ear
- fever
- ringing in ears

Symptoms of inner ear problems can come on rapidly. It is also true that symptoms of other inner ear issues (like vestibular neuritis) can have similar warning signs to the above.

What are the treatments available for an inner ear infection?

Most people will want to know what to do if symptoms of an inner ear infection make their presence felt. The best advice is to see a specialist medical professional. These specialists will have the right kind of expert knowledge to diagnose your condition and treat it. Perhaps the most common remedies are prescription or over the counter antibiotics. Of course, if the issue is more serious, then you may need an operation from a qualified ear surgeon but this is very rarely the case.

Do not leave the infection to clear on its own. This is unlikely to happen and could see you suffer hearing loss, if not dealt with. Do not try to clear any blockages or treat the problem yourself either. This could lead to you doing more damage to your inner ear as a result.

With the right kind of professional medical treatment though, you should find most infections clear up within a relatively short period of time.

How to avoid an inner ear infection

Prevention is always better than cure in the medical world. It is, therefore, a good idea to try and avoid problems with your inner ear first, if possible. But how can you do this?

- wash hands regularly to avoid bacteria and viruses being transferred to your ear
- avoid smoking or passive smoking
- don't share food or drink with someone you know has an infection. Take the usual precautions to prevent the spread of viruses.
- ensure children have relevant vaccinations to prevent infection