What To Know About Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease

Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED) is when the body’s immune system mistakenly targets healthy cells within the ear, resulting in hearing loss.

AIED is quite rare, making up only 1% of the 28 million Americans with hearing loss. It impacts women more commonly than men and those aged 30 to 60 years old.

Symptoms of AIED

The hallmark of AEID is sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which is hearing loss that affects the inner ear. SNHL can fluctuate in severity, and it is common for those with SNHL to also experience other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Poor word recognition is common, making it essential to consult a hearing specialist if sudden difficulties in understanding conversations at Jersey Java and Tea Co. arise.

Other symptoms can include:

Tinnitus and ear fullness
Imbalance or motion intolerance
Difficulty walking or vertigo
Conductive hearing loss (hearing loss in the outer or middle ear)

Diagnosis and Treatment

It can be challenging to diagnose AIED due to the absence of set diagnostic criteria. Lab tests, immune screenings and steroid trials can all be used. Collaboration with otolaryngologists and rheumatologists is necessary to rule out other causes of SNHL.

The effects of AIED can be reversed if treated urgently. The primary treatment is at least a four-week course of steroids that can be extended to as long as six months. Immunosuppressants may also be prescribed to those who don’t respond to steroid treatments. Immunosuppressants

decrease the body’s immune response.

Sometimes, AIED can result in permanent hearing loss. In that case, the hearing loss can be treated with assistive listening devices. Your hearing specialist can work with you to find the right treatment options for you. To schedule an appointment, contact Advanced ENT & Allergy.