Infection

An infection of the inner ear from either a bacterial or viral infection can produce hearing loss to variable degrees. The hearing loss is typically very rapid in onset completing its deterioration over several hours to days. The hearing loss may be accompanied by dizziness.

A bacterial infection is usually accompanied by severe illness, very high fevers and either signs of meningitis, such as stiff neck, or signs of otitis media such as ear pain and fullness. Management of this condition requires the immediate management, which includes intraveneous antibiotics and possibly myringotomy. Once the infection has resolved, rehabilitation of the hearing loss can be either with a hearing aid or, when the hearing loss is severe, a cochlear implant.

An infection of the inner ear from either a bacterial or viral infection can produce hearing loss to variable degrees. The hearing loss is typically very rapid in onset completing its deterioration over several hours to days. The hearing loss may be accompanied by dizziness.

A bacterial infection is usually accompanied by severe illness, very high fevers and either signs of meningitis, such as stiff neck, or signs of otitis media such as ear pain and fullness. Management of this condition requires the immediate management, which includes intraveneous antibiotics and possibly myringotomy. Once the infection has resolved, rehabilitation of the hearing loss can be either with a hearing aid or, when the hearing loss is severe, a cochlear implant.

A viral infection producing hearing loss can be very variable in presentation. Hearing loss can present alone of sudden onset, or it can be accompanied by vertigo. The immediate management can include a short term course of steroids. Those who don’t respond to this can consider the injection of steroids into the middle ear through the ear drum to encourage diffusion into the inner ear. The remaining hearing loss can be rehabilitated with a hearing aid, or, when the hearing loss is severe, a cochlear implant.

A viral infection producing hearing loss can be very variable in presentation. Hearing loss can present alone of sudden onset, or it can be accompanied by vertigo. The immediate management can include a short term course of steroids. Those who don’t respond to this can consider the injection of steroids into the middle ear through the ear drum to encourage diffusion into the inner ear. The remaining hearing loss can be rehabilitated with a hearing aid, or, when the hearing loss is severe, a cochlear implant.