Our ears are often only associated with hearing. They do so much more for our bodies than that. Ears help us balance as the eyes and brain. Symptoms that affect your balance, such as vertigo, may arise if there is an imbalance in one or both ears.
How Does the Ear Help Us Balance?
The body’s general balance system is within the inner ear. It’s comprised of three circular tubes on each side. Each tube has its own directional function. One tube senses left/right, another is up/down, and the other senses tilt. The fluid inside of these tubes sends signals to the brain to help control balance.
Hearing and balance difficulties go hand and hand since both begin in the inner ear. Inner ear issues can cause imbalances such as dizziness, vertigo, and nausea. Inner ear imbalances can mimic motion sickness even when you aren’t moving.
The Relationship Between Hearing Loss and Balance Issues
Hearing loss and balance disorders may go hand-in-hand. It isn’t uncommon to experience one without the other. Labyrinthitis and Meniere’s disease cause hearing loss and balance issues to coincide.
Labyrinthitis is a type of inner ear infection that causes swelling and inflammation. The infection can result in vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and nausea. You can treat Labyrinthitis. Severe infections may cause more permanent effects.
Meniere’s disease causes a buildup of pressure within the ear’s labyrinth. It can cause hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus. It does not have a cure but is manageable with medicine. Sometimes, it goes away on its own.
Balance Disorders
Balance disorders can have many causes and have feelings of dizziness or vertigo. Treating balance disorders can vary depending on the cause of the problem. You can treat some balance disorders with medication or diet. It can even go away on its own. Some balance disorders are permanent and some are temporary. Others you can manage on your own.
Call us today at the Atkins Hearing Center for more information. Have a certified hearing specialist assess your hearing. A call to the Atkins Hearing Center may be the first step in helping you regain balance in your life.
