Autoimmune inner ear disease is an uncommon disease with which most
doctors are unfamiliar. It is caused by a malfunction in the body's
immune system, which causes it to attack the structures of the inner
ear as it would a virus or bacteria. It is known to cause only one
percent of all hearing loss cases.

Symptoms
Autoimmune inner ear disease may present itself similarly to Meniere's
disease. Patients usually will notice bilateral progressive or
fluctuating loss of hearing. Tinnitus and aural fullness, a feeling of
fullness or pressure in the ear, may also occur.

Diagnosis
Currently the best method for diagnosing this disease is by clinical
evaluations in the office and blood testing.

Treatment
A steroid called prednisone is most commonly prescribed to suppress the
immune system and slow its attack on the inner ear structures. Other
steroid medications are now commonly delivered directly to the inner
ear via intratympanic injections, as opposed to the more traditional
intravenous or oral administration of the drug. By injecting the
steroid directly into the ear, the affected region receives a potent
dosage of the medicine without concern for potential negative side
effects of the steroids on the rest of the body.

Intratympanic steroid delivery is a promising new method of treating
diseases of the ear. It is a painless procedure that can be done in the
doctor's office under mild anesthesia. Other devices have been
developed and are sometimes used to deliver medication to the inner ear.