Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) is a syndrome of progressive hearing loss and/or dizziness that is caused by antibodies or immune cells which are attacking the inner ear. In most cases, there is reduction of hearing accompanied by tinnitus (ringing, hissing, roaring) which occurs over a few months.
Causes:
The cause of AIED is generally assumed to be related to either
• Antibodies
• Immune cells
that cause damage to the inner ear
The symptoms of AIED are sudden
• Hearing loss in one ear progressing rapidly to the second ear. The hearing loss can progress over weeks or month
• Patients may feel fullness in the ear and experience vertigo.
• In addition, a ringing, hissing, or roaring sound in the ear may be experienced.
Bilateral progressive hearing loss or progressive vestibular (balance) loss
Audiometry documenting progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss
ABR (if hearing is good enough),
Otoacoustic emission testing
Rotatory chair test
ECOG (electrocochleography)
Blood tests for specific inner ear disorders
Anti-cochlear antibody test
Lymphocyte transformation assay
Most patients with AIED respond to the initial treatment of
• Steroids
• Prednisone
• Methotrexate
• Chemotherapy agent.
• Hearing Aids (Some patients may benefit from the use of hearing aids)
• Cochlear Implant: (If patients are unresponsive to drug therapy and hearing loss persists, a cochlear implant maybe considered)
Consult audiolgy centre at Aadil hospital for appropriate treatment.
