Autoimmune Inner Ear Disorder
When a virus attacks, the immune system defends the body. When the immune system malfunctions, its defense capabilities sometimes mistake the body’s own cells for invading viruses or germs and attack them, which is referred to as autoimmunity. The immune system can attack the whole body or just certain systems, including the ear. When the ear is itself attacked, this is known as autoimmune inner ear disease.
More info: Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease
Perilymph Fistula
Perilymphatic Fistula
A tear or defect in one of the small, thin membranes that separate the middle ear from the fluid-filled inner ear. When a fistula is present, changes in middle ear pressure will directly affect the inner ear, stimulating the balance and/or hearing structures and causing symptoms.
More info: Perilymph Fistula
Conductive Hearing Loss
Hearing loss produced by abnormalities of the outer ear or middle ear. These abnormalities create a hearing loss by interfering with the transmission of sound from the outer ear to the inner ear.
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Secondary Endolymphatic Hydrops (SEH)
A disorder of the inner ear that involves abnormalities in the quantity, composition, and pressure of an inner-ear fluid called endolymph, apparently in response to an event or underlying condition such as head trauma or ear surgery. It can occur with other inner ear disorders, allergies, or systemic disorders.
More info: Secondary Endolymphatic Hydrops (SEH)
Middle Ear
Air-filled cavity containing the ossicles and tympanic membrane. Transfers sound energy from the outer ear to the cochlea of the inner ear.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Tympanic membrane
Eardrum
Structure of the ear that separates the external ear canal from the middle-ear air cavity.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Ototoxic
Ototoxicity (“ear poisoning”) is due to exposure to drugs or chemicals that damage the inner ear or the vestibulo-cochlear nerve, which sends balance and hearing information from the inner ear to the brain. Ototoxicity can result in temporary or permanent disturbances of hearing, balance, or both.
More info: Ototoxicity
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is a common vestibular disorder that causes vertigo, dizziness, and other symptoms due to debris that has collected within a part of the inner ear. This debris, called otoconia, is made up of small crystals of calcium carbonate (sometimes referred to informally as “ear rocks”). With head movement, the displaced otoconia shift, sending false signals to the brain.
More info: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Otosclerosis
The abnormal growth of bone of the inner ear which prevents structures within the ear from working properly and causes different types of hearing loss. In addition to hearing loss, some people with otosclerosis experience dizziness and balance problems.
More info: Otosclerosis
Oval Window
Oval-shaped opening from the middle ear into the inner ear.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Labyrinth
Complex system of chambers and passageways of the inner ear anatomy. Includes both the hearing and balance portions of the inner ear.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Round Window
Membrane-covered opening between the inner ear and the middle ear.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Mastoid
Bony prominence at the base of the skull behind the ear, containing air spaces that connect with the middle ear cavity.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Meniere’s Disease
Ménière’s disease is a vestibular disorder that produces a recurring set of symptoms as a result of abnormally large amounts of a fluid called endolymph collecting in the inner ear. The exact cause of Ménière’s disease is not known. The four classic symptoms are vertigo, tinnitus, a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear, and fluctuating hearing.
More info: Ménière’s Disease
Inner ear
The semicircular canals and cochlea, which form the organs of balance and hearing and are embedded in the temporal bone.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Ossicles
Middle ear bones (malleus, incus and stapes) that transmit sound from the tympanic membrane to the oval window of the inner ears.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Otalgia
Pain in the ear.
More info: Vestibular Symptoms
Acoustic Neuroma
A serious but nonmalignant tumor that develops on the inner ear’s vestibulo-cochlear nerve, which transmits both balance and sound information to brain.
More info: Acoustic Neuroma
Otolaryngologist
Physicians and surgeons who diagnose and treat diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures.
More info: Healthcare Specialties
Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency
The vertebral and basilar arteries carry blood to the inner ear labyrinth, the vestibulo-cochlear nerve, and the brainstem. When blood flow through these vessels is restricted for any reason, it is called vertebrobasilar insufficiency. This is a common cause of vertigo in the elderly. The vertigo occurs suddenly without warning, usually lasts for several minutes, and can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, headache, and impaired vision.
More info: Types of Vestibular Disorders
Ampulla
A portion of the inner ear and vestibular system–dilated ending of the semicircular canal containing the cupula.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Otolith Organs
Refers to the utricle and saccule of the inner ear.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Vestibular Neuritis
Disorder resulting from an infection that inflames the inner ear, specifically the vestibular branch of the vestibulo-cochlear nerve, results in dizziness or vertigo, but no change in hearing.
More info: Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis
Otologist/Neurotologist
Otologists/Neurotologists are otolaryngologists who have completed 1-2 years of additional training. They specialize in the ear and its connections to the brain. Evaluation by an otologist/neurotologist is appropriate when a person has been seen by a primary care physician or otolaryngologist/ENT, but needs a further opinion or a more specific diagnosis.
More info: Healthcare Specialties
Vestibular System
The portion of the balance system that provides sensory information about motion, equilibrium, and spatial orientation. Information is provided by the vestibular apparatus which is located in each ear and includes the utricle, saccule, and three semicircular canals.
More info: The Human Balance System
Otoneurologist
A neurologist with additional years of specialized training. They approach dizziness and balance disorders from the brain outward instead of from the ear in toward the brain (as in neurotologists).
More info: Healthcare Specialties
Vestibulocochlear nerve
Nerve that carries information from the inner ear to the brain. Also called the eighth cranial nerve, auditory nerve, or acoustic nerve.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Cholesteatoma
Mass growing within a confined space, often the middle ear.
More info: Cholesteatoma
Cochlea
Portion of the inner ear anatomy concerned with hearing.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Cochlear Implant
A prosthetic device that, unlike hearing aids which amplify sound, bypass the outer, middle, and inner ear and directly stimulate auditory nerve fibers.
Compensation
A decrease in vestibular symptoms as the brain recalibrates and fine tunes incoming signals from the inner ear.
More info: Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
Peripheral vestibular system
Parts of the inner ear anatomy that are concerned with balance and body orientation; consists of the semicircular canals, utricle, and saccule. Peripheral in this context means outside the central nervous system (brain and brainstem), to which the peripheral system sends information.
More info: Peripheral Vestibular System
Labyrinthitis
Disorder resulting from an infection that inflames the inner ear, specifically the labyrinth, may result in hearing changes as well as dizziness or vertigo.
More info: Labyrinthitis and Vestibular Neuritis
Saccule
Sac-like inner ear organ containing otoliths which senses vertical motion of the head.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD)
Superior Canal Dehiscence
A syndrome resulting from an opening (dehiscence) in the bone overlying the superior (uppermost) semicircular canal within the inner ear. With this dehiscence, the fluid in the membranous superior canal (which is located within the tubular cavity of the bony canal) can be displaced by sound and pressure stimuli, creating certain vestibular and/or auditory signs and symptoms.
More info: Third Window Syndrome
Temporal Bone
Portion of the skull containing the inner ear anatomy.
More info: Ear Anatomy
Tinnitus
Abnormal noise perceived in one or both ears or in the head.
More info: Tinnitus
