Middle and Inner Ear Diseases
Problem	Description
Otitis Media	The tympanic membrane (eardrum) can become inflamed from a variety of infections, many of which spread to the middle ear via the eustachion tube from the pharynx. There can be acute suppurative inflammation (acute otitis), chronic inflammation with destruction of ossicles (chronic otitis), or fluid accumulation (serous otitis).
Cholesteatoma	Otitis media with tympanic membrane rupture can produce ingrowth of squamous epithelium into the middle ear that expands and produces an erosive mass.
Otosclerosis	The bony ankylosis of the ossicles results in loss of bone conduction of sound, leading to deafness.
Labyrinthitis	Inflammation of the semicircular canals leads to symptoms of vertigo and nausea. It is typically caused by viral infection.
Meniere's Disease	Fluid accumulation in the cochlea leads to symptoms of tinnitus, nystagmus, vertigo, nausea, and hearing loss. The cause is unknown, but in many cases there is spontaneous resolution.
Noise Pollution	Exposure to loud noises can damage the delicate hair cells of the cochlea, leading to hearing loss, typically for high-pitched sounds more than low-pitched. High decibel levels cause the damage, particulary with chronic exposure to sources such as internal combustion engines without mufflers (some farm tractors), jet engines, jackhammers, and rock concerts.

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