Auditory Nerve Neuritis: What It Is, Symptoms, and Causes

Hearing is not just the ear, but also the nerve that transmits the signal to the brain. When the vestibulocochlear nerve is affected, a person may notice hearing loss, ringing in the ear, or dizziness. Let us clarify what the term "auditory nerve neuritis" means (it is also called inflammation of the ear nerve) and how it relates to other diseases of the auditory nerve.

What auditory nerve neuritis is

In the medical literature, the term "auditory nerve neuritis" is more often described through sensorineural hearing loss — hearing loss due to damage to the sound-perceiving apparatus: the structures of the inner ear, the vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII), or the central parts of the auditory analyzer in the brainstem and auditory cortex. As a rule, the cause is defects or damage to the hair cells of the spiral organ of the cochlea; damage to the nerve itself is uncommon.

Causes of auditory nerve inflammation

The causes are divided into external and internal. External causes include acoustic trauma, infections, prolonged exposure to loud noise above 80 dB, and ototoxic medications. Internal causes include defective genes that lead to deafness. Hearing loss can be congenital or acquired. Among acquired factors, mechanical injuries are cited, as well as the use of certain medications, for example aminoglycoside antibiotics and loop diuretics.

Symptoms of auditory nerve neuritis

Suspecting the problem is not always easy. A person hears interlocutors worse, especially in noisy places, asks them to repeat what was said, turns the TV up louder than others do, and feels fatigue from the strain of conversation. Sometimes hearing loss is noticed earlier by close ones. With sudden hearing loss together with dizziness, a sensation of rotation (vertigo), or ringing in the ears (tinnitus), it may be labyrinthitis or Meniere's disease. These symptoms are described for hearing loss in general, not for a separate "ear neuritis."

• Gradual hearing loss in both ears — aging or many years of exposure to loud noise.
• Difficulty hearing in one ear, pain, fever, discharge — probable ear infection.
• A feeling of fullness and itching — accumulation of earwax.
• Sudden hearing loss after an infection, a loud sound, or a pressure change — possible damage to the eardrum.

Cochlear neuritis and cochleoneuritis: what the difference is

The terms "cochlear neuritis" and "cochleoneuritis" are associated with damage to the cochlea and the vestibulocochlear nerve; clinically this refers to sensorineural hearing loss, in which the cochlea, the VIII nerve, or the central parts of the auditory analyzer are affected. Such conditions require medical evaluation.

Other diseases of the auditory nerve

In addition to inflammatory and noise-induced damage, there are hereditary forms. Among them are autosomal recessive nonsyndromic deafness DFNB1, associated with a mutation in the GJB2 gene, and Stickler, Waardenburg, Pendred, and Usher syndromes. Auditory neuropathy is mentioned separately. Such conditions are diagnosed by specialists based on test results.

How it is diagnosed and when to see a doctor

The doctor assesses the complaints, examines the ear, and, if necessary, refers the patient for hearing testing. Tuning fork tests are used: the Weber test shows lateralization of sound, and the Rinne test compares air and bone conduction. In sensorineural hearing loss, the hearing threshold at frequencies of 500–4000 Hz may be above normal by 50 dB in mild cases, by 50–60 dB in moderate cases, and by more than 60–70 dB in severe cases. You should see a doctor if your hearing gradually worsens or has not recovered after treatment of an infection or removal of earwax. You should make an appointment urgently for sudden hearing loss in one or both ears, worsening over the past days or weeks, and also with accompanying pain and discharge.

Hearing loss by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103 or 112 — for a life-threatening condition, for example suspected stroke or heart attack.

This material is for reference purposes and does not replace a doctor's consultation: only a specialist, after examination and tests, can say what exactly is happening with your hearing.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer