The two most common types of inner ear infections are labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis.
Certain chronic conditions and disorders can impact this section of the ear and cause inflammation.
Vestibular Neuritis
Vestibular neuritis is inflammation that impacts the eighth cranial nerveyourvestibular nerve.
Cavan Images / Getty Images
The vestibular nerve carries signals about balance and equilibrium from your inner ear to your brain.
Viral infections or chronic disorders likeMeniere’s diseaseandBell’s palsyare most often the cause of vestibular neuritis.
Symptoms can come and go suddenly during a flare-up.
Vertigo and balance problems can last weeks or cause constant symptoms in more severe cases.
What Causes an Inner Ear Infection
Bacterial and viral infections cause many forms of ear infections.
Inflammation with labyrinthitis can diminish your hearing, whereas vestibular neuritis does not affect hearing.
Supportive care for pain, nausea, and other related symptoms can help.
How Are Inner Ear Infections Diagnosed?
Abnormal balance and eye movements can sometimes appear alongside vestibular problems.
How Are Inner Ear Infections Treated?
If your healthcare provider suspects a bacterial infection is causing your inner ear infection, they may prescribeantibiotics.
However, antibiotics will not cure a viral infection.
Steroids can help reduce inflammation to relieve symptoms, but supportive care is usually the most effective treatment.
Below are some examples.
Can You Prevent Inner Ear Infections?
Summary
Ear infections are most common in babies and young children but can occur at any age.
Most of these infections will clear up on their own without treatment.
Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.Anatomy and physiology of the ear.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ear infection basics.
Monarch Initiative.Infectious otitis interna.
National Health Service.Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis.
Vestibular Disorders Association.Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis.
National Institutes of Health.Ear infections in children.
April 2022;46(2):178-179. doi:10.1097/NPT.0000000000000385
