Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED): Symptoms & Hearing Aid Support
It is a common thing to associate aging and noise exposure with hearing loss. But in some cases the hearing loss can also be due to improper functioning of the immune system. So, one such condition is the Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED) which is a very rare yet serious medical condition. It is a medical condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the inner ear leading to hearing loss and even balancing issues.
Hence, this condition requires early diagnosis and immediate medical intervention to make a significant difference in managing the symptoms and preventing the hearing. Therefore, this blog explains what Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease or AIED, its symptoms and how hearing aid support in this situation.
What Is Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease?
Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease or AIED is an inflammatory condition which is caused by the body’s immune system targeting its own inner ear tissue. The inner ear plays a crucial role as it is responsible for balancing and hearing and with AIED it becomes damaged and inflamed. So, with this damage it can lead to various auditory and vestibular symptoms. This condition can occur by its own or as the side effect of various other autoimmune disorders.
Even though being relatively rare and affecting less than 1% of all the other hearing loss causes, AIED often go overlooked and undiagnosed due to similarity with various other inner ear conditions.
Common Symptoms Of AIED
The symptoms of the AEID typically include the sudden occurrence and may progress or fluctuate over time. So, it is important to recognize these early signs as soon as possible for timely medical intervention. The symptoms includes the
- The bilateral hearing loss in which both the ears are affected even though it begins with one. This loss happens much faster and sensorineural in nature.
- Tinnitus is also one of the symptoms where there is a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in one or both the ears.
- Aural fullness is another symptom where there is a sensation of pressure or feeling of fullness in the ears.
- The vertigo and imbalance is another symptom where there will be episodes of dizziness or spinning sensation impacting the daily activities.
- Finally, the fluctuating symptoms which occur temporarily can be improved with treatment. However, it can recur if they are not managed properly.
So, if you or your loved ones experience any of the above symptoms or combination of the above it is essential to consult an audiologist or ENT specialist immediately.
Diagnosis And Treatment
The diagnosis for the AIED can be more challenging because there is no single or definitive test. The audiologists usually use a combination of hearing tests, assess the patient’s history, and the patient’s response to the corticosteroid treatment. So, once the above process is completed and diagnosed, the following treatment is involved,
- The steroids or Prednisone are given to reduce the inflammation and immune system activity.
- The immunosuppressive drugs are administered in severe or non-responsive cases
- The plasmapheresis or biologic therapies are given in very rare cases when the conventional treatment plan fails.
However, with the implementation of treatment there can be hearing loss in patients or can worsen over time. It is where the hearing aid becomes important to improve quality of life
Hearing Aids And AIED:
So, with AIED damage being permanent for hearing loss the modern hearing aid can effectively compensate for the loss and help the individuals to regain their ability to communicate clearly. Adro Hearing Aid as the trusted hearing aid centre in Chennai offering advanced hearing aid devices tailored to the complex medical conditions like AIED. Our range includes custom fitting, tuning, rechargeable models, standard hearing aid, bluetooth connectivity and many more.
Hence, whether you are in the early stages of AIED or have been in various other hearing loss conditions for years, with us you can be assured that you stay connected with the society that you live in.
If you’re experiencing sudden or progressive hearing loss, don’t wait. Schedule a professional hearing assessment and explore modern hearing solutions tailored to your condition. Visit Adro Hearing Aids today and take control of your hearing health.
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