Two Diseases With Unclear Causes That May Result In Ear Damage
There are many causes of hearing loss, including physical trauma to the ear, hereditary factors, and diseases. Some of these you cannot prevent while others, such as diseases, may be preventable. Here are two examples of diseases that have been linked to hearing loss
Meniere's disease
This is a health disorder that causes the fluids in your inner ear to flow abnormally. As a result of this abnormal flow of fluids, you develop ringing in your ear, which may also develop fullness. As a result of these and other complications, your hearing suffers.
The causes of Meniere's disease aren't well known, and it may even be hereditary. However, some doctors also believe that its possible preventable causes include these three:
- Allergies
- Head trauma
- Viral infections
Therefore, it's in your best interest to keep these health conditions at bay.
Apart from constant sounds in the ear, another common symptom of Meniere's is a constant attack of spinning sensations. This loss of equilibrium makes you feel as if you are about to lose your balance, and you may also feel nauseated.
Although there is no cure as of yet, you can manage the disease by embarking on a low salt diet, taking appropriate medications (such as anti-vertigo drugs) or undergoing surgery. All these interventions will only work best if started early enough. Thus, it's advisable to seek medical intervention as soon as you notice any of the symptoms of the disease.
Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease
Autoimmune disorders are those in which your natural immunity starts to attack your body. In the case of autoimmune inner ear disease, your immune system mistakes your inner ear as a foreign body and attacks it.
Again, the exact cause of this condition is not well known. However, one school of thought has it that it starts when you injure your ear, and your body goes into overdrive in a bid to produce additional immune reactions. Extreme immune reactions then lead to the disease. Therefore, preventing ear injuries may go a long way in preventing autoimmune ear disease.
One of the worst things about the disease is that it appears as a sudden hearing loss. It usually appears without warning in one ear before it starts to creep slowly into the other ear. Therefore, you should consult an audiologist, like those at Hearing Specialists of DuPage, every time you experience a sudden hearing loss. Treatment involves the use of different medications, such as steroids, gene therapy (transplantation of stem cells), and surgery for a cochlear implant.