3-21. DISEASE OF THE INNER EAR--LABYRINTHITIS
a. Description. Labyrinthitis is a suppurative (pus-forming) causing disease
process arising from chronic otitis media. The cause of this disease includes trauma
associated with concussion producing bleeding such as a crack in the cochlea and
nasal skull fracture. The condition may be caused by cardiovascular diseases such as
arteriosclerosis and certain allergies.
b. Signs/Symptoms. Included are:
(1)
Deafness and hearing loss.
(2)
Tinnitus.
(3)
Vertigo.
(4)
Nausea and vomiting.
(5) Blurring of vision and nystagmus (involuntary jerking of eyes, sometimes
fast and sometimes slow).
(6)
Staggered gait.
c. Treatment. Treatment for labyrinthitis should be confined to symptomatic
treatment of the underlying cause, if that cause is known. Promethazine (Phenergan)
is used for motion sickness and thiethylperazine (Torecan) is given for nausea and
vomiting. The medical evacuation procedures should be done carefully. It may be
dangerous aboard ship or aircraft.
3-22. DISEASE OF THE INNER EAR--TINNITUS
a. Description. Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of acoustic
stimuli. Tinnitus may be caused by irritation of nerve endings in the cochlea, by
degenerative vascular diseases, or vasomotor diseases. Hearing sounds when there
are none becomes worse when the patient drinks coffee, takes aspirin, or smokes a
cigarette.
b. Signs/Symptoms. Common signs and symptoms include the following:
(1)
Buzzing.
(2)
Ringing.
(3)
Roaring.
MD0582
3-11
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