H83: Other diseases of inner ear

H83.3: Noise effects on inner ear

The ear is a sensory organ that is used to hear and to maintain one’s balance. There are 3 different areas in the ear: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The inner ear is made up of a series of bony canals filled with fluid. The inner ear contains the organs of hearing and balance. The organ of hearing is also called the cochlea because it is a spiral-shaped bony canal. Inside the cochlea are the sensory cells for hearing. The organ of balance is made up of three semicircular bony canals. The inner ear connects to the brain via the auditory nerve and the vestibular nerve.

You have heard a very loud noise such as a bang. You may also have been hearing loud noises regularly over a long period of time. The loud noises have damaged your inner ear.

When the inner ear is damaged, one may experience various symptoms. One might be dizzy. Sometimes one also has balance problems. The person may then find it difficult to ride a bicycle. One’s hearing may be worse than usual.