06 Sep Common ear diseases: What ear diseases are there?

The ears are complex sensory organs that enable us to hear. They are also connected to the vestibular system. Due to their complicated anatomical structure, however, they are also susceptible to various diseases. These can have far-reaching consequences and can be perceived by patients as very disturbing and impairing. We explain the most common ear diseases in this blog post.

Cholesteatoma

This is a purulent inflammation of the middle ear caused by a benign ingrowth. It is usually accompanied by earaches and headaches. Over time, the cholesteatoma can also damage other areas of the ear. The cause of the ear disease is an eardrum defect or a chronic middle ear infection. In some cases, cholesteatoma is also congenital. For complete healing, it usually requires a ENT surgery.

Meniere's disease

Meniere's disease affects the inner ear. The disease is accompanied by a characteristic triad of symptoms: hearing loss, tinnitus and spinning dizziness that occurs in fits and starts. You can find out more about the disease and its treatment in our blog post: "Meniere's disease therapy: How the ear disease can be treated"

Otosclerosis

Hardening and new bone formation on the malleus, incus and stapes can lead to the ossicles no longer being able to transmit sound sufficiently. This can lead, for example, to ringing in the ears and hearing loss (especially at low frequencies). This process can be caused by viral infections, faulty autoimmune processes or a genetic disposition. Hearing can be restored through surgery.

Usher syndrome

Usher syndrome is a hereditary disease that causes degeneration of the retina and the fine hair cells in the inner ear. This results in slowly progressive damage to vision and hearing. The progression of the disease can be slowed down by specialised medical treatment.

Injuries to the eardrum

An accident, a fall, a loud bang or careless cleaning with a cotton bud: External influences can lead to a rupture of the eardrum. If it is only a small tear, the eardrum injury can heal on its own. In more severe cases, reconstructive surgery is necessary.

Tympanic effusion

The tympanic cavity is a cavity behind the eardrum in the middle ear. A slight negative pressure develops here from time to time. It can usually be equalised by swallowing or yawning. In some cases, e.g. due to a cold, secretions can accumulate in the tympanic cavity and can no longer drain away. This results in an unpleasant feeling of pressure and/or hearing loss. Sometimes viruses and bacteria also enter the ear area via the secretions, which can lead to an inflammation of the middle ear. If the secretions do not drain away on their own within a few days, treatment is required at our practice. We use the so-called tympanostomy tube to drain the secretions.

Ear stones

Tiny so-called otholites, i.e. ear stones, can become loose in the ear, e.g. due to jerky movements of the head, and enter the semicircular canals of the vestibular system. This causes dizziness or positional vertigo. In our practice, we will show you certain movement exercises that you can use to get the ear stones out of the semicircular canals.

Barotrauma

Changes in pressure in the middle ear (such as when diving or flying) can cause barotrauma. This is accompanied by severe ear pain, dizziness and severe nausea. If the pressure changes are particularly severe and sudden, the eardrum may rupture or even bleed in the middle ear. Treatment involves the administration of cortisone. In some cases, surgery is advisable.

Tinnitus and sudden hearing loss: separate ear disease or additional symptom

Tinnitus

A whistling, hissing, beeping or ringing sound in the Ear is known as tinnitus. The ringing in the ears can occur acutely, but can also become chronic. In some ear diseases (e.g. middle ear inflammation), tinnitus is a typical symptom of the disease, but noise pollution or stress are also often the cause. If you suffer from ringing in the ears, it is important to investigate the cause. You can find out more about the triggers of tinnitus and its treatment in the blog post: "What causes tinnitus?"

sudden deafness

In the case of sudden sudden deafness, there is a sudden hearing loss on one side, more rarely on both sides, or even hearing loss. Those affected also complain of a feeling of pressure in the ear and the occurrence of ringing in the ears. The cause of sudden hearing loss can be, for example, poor blood circulation in the inner ear or stress. You can find more information on the causes and treatment in our blog post: "Causes of sudden hearing loss"

Hearing loss: not just a matter of age

One of the most common problems relating to the ears is hearing loss and hearing impairment. There are three types of hearing loss:

Conductive hearing loss

In this case, the sound waves reach your inner ear in a reduced form or even not at all. In this case, you perceive everyday sounds much more quietly and feel as if you are hearing through cotton wool. This form of hearing loss is caused, for example, by a malformation or blockage of the ear canal. If conductive hearing loss occurs in the middle ear, it is often the result of an infection.

Sensorineural hearing loss

This form of hearing loss usually affects the inner ear. Although the sound waves are transmitted from the eardrum and the ossicles to the inner ear, they are not processed and transmitted correctly there.

Sensorineural hearing loss can be caused, for example, by prolonged exposure to loud noise. In this case, we speak of noise-induced hearing loss.
The most common form, however, is age-related hearing loss, which is primarily caused by the effects of natural degeneration processes in the body.

Combined conductive sensorineural hearing loss

In this case, the restrictions of the middle ear and inner ear occur simultaneously.

Treating common ear diseases and more: Your ENT doctor in Frankfurt Dr Fischer

If you are suffering from sudden or increasingly severe ear complaints, please make an appointment at our ENT practice in Frankfurt. Based on a precise diagnosis, we determine what you are suffering from and can determine a customised treatment for you.

ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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