Vestibular and Balance Disorders

Vestibular balance disorders are conditions that affect the body's sense of balance, causing dizziness, vertigo (spinning sensation), difficulty with balance and even blurry vision, but it is important to note not all dizziness pertains to the ear.

Many body systems — including your core muscles, bones, joints, eyes, nerves, heart and blood vessels — must work normally for you to have normal balance. When these systems aren't functioning well and can occur with blood pressure issues, diabetes or nutritional deficiencies you can experience dizziness or balance problems. Some of the most common vestibular (inner ear related) disorders are outlined below:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

Commonly called “ear crystals” or “stones, BPPV occurs when otoconia (tiny calcium carbonate crystals) get stuck in one of the semicircular canals. A brief, intense episode of vertigo that occurs when you change the position of your head such as when you are rolling over in bed. You might feel like you're spinning when you bend down, tilt your head, or look in your blind spot while driving. .

Ménière's disease

Episodic vertigo which can be progressive lasting minutes to hours, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness or essure in the ear. Bilateral disease can develop and it’s thought to be related to the endolymph ( the fluid in the inner ear) and possibly genetic factors.

Mal de Débarquement syndrome (MdDS)

A feeling of continuous rocking, swaying, or bobbing after prolonged exposure to motion, like on a cruise or train ride.

Labyrinthitis and Vestibular neuronitis

Inner ear infections that cause dizziness, loss of balance, and nausea. It's often linked to an upper respiratory viral infection, like the flu or COVID. Vestibular neuritis causes symptoms such as sudden, severe vertigo, dizziness, balance problems, nausea and vomiting. Vestibular neuritis affects the vestibular nerve, which is the nerve in the inner ear that connects to the brain. Labyrinthitis affects the labyrinth, which is a maze of fluid-filled channels in the inner ear that contains organs for balance and hearing and typically also presents with ear ringing (tinnitus) and hearing loss.Treatment for both typically involves managing symptoms or taking antiviral medications and steroids, as well as vestibular exercises and rehabilitation.

Perilymph fistula

A leakage of fluid from the inner ear into the middle ear. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, unsteadiness, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

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