When you first think of hearing loss, you think about how it affects your ability to hear and communicate. But, the loss of hearing can also connect to other parts of the body and create an issue such as vertigo. Understanding why this happens can go a long way. It can help you discover the right treatment if you’re suffering from vertigo and the loss of hearing.
What is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a sudden sensation where you feel as if you’re spinning. Most people have experienced this at one point or another throughout their lifetime. Vertigo is often triggered by jerking your head in one direction. If you have hearing loss with balance issues and dizziness, speak to an audiologist. Your sudden onset of vertigo may be due to your loss of hearing. The most common symptoms associated with vertigo include:
- Dizziness
- Spinning sensation
- Feeling pulled in one direction
- Losing balance
- Jerky eye movements
- Nausea
- Tinnitus
How Does Hearing Loss Cause Vertigo?
It may be surprising to hear that the body’s balance system actually rests in the Labyrinth in the inner ear. Inside this Labyrinth is the cochlea that houses the hearing nerve. Near this cochlea, there are canals and organs that are responsible for our sense of balance. In layman’s terms, this is where our body senses movement from.
If your loss of hearing was due to an injury to the head or your ear, it’s much more likely for you to experience vertigo. This is due to the damage to the balance components inside of the inner ear during the injury. It is important to note that not everyone with a loss of hearing experiences vertigo.
The Connection to Meniere’s Disease
Meniere’s disease is a condition of the inner ear where fluid builds up. The swelling of the cochlea can throw your vestibular system out of whack. This can result in fluctuating loss of hearing, dizziness, and vertigo. Again, some people who suffer from Meniere’s Disease may never experience balance issues.
How to Manage Vertigo Caused By the Loss of Hearing
The first step in managing your vertigo caused by a loss of hearing is to get evaluated by a professional. Our audiologists can find why you have hearing loss and give you treatment options. Many times, when you treat the underlying cause of hearing loss, it can reduce the symptoms of vertigo.
Call Us Today
If you believe that you’re experiencing hearing loss, give our office a call today. Our helpful and experienced hearing care professionals will check out your situation. We will provide you with the treatment option that’s best for you.
