The correlation between the body balance and hearing has always been anatomical in nature. Hence, ear is exceptional as it is responsible for two senses: balance and hearing. The inner ear has cochlea which is responsible for hearing. It is also kept in the same structure like the organ responsible for body balance. Hence, disorders of inner ear can impact balance as well as hearing.
How do ears cause dizziness?
Dizziness takes place from the disturbances found in the fluid of the inner ear. It can also take place because of physiological changes or pressure caused on the balance nerve. Any sort of imbalance taking place causes dizziness or conditions like tinnitus or ringing in the ears or sometimes hearing loss as well. So, how is dizziness related to hearing loss?
Vertigo
The dizziness caused by inner ear condition is called vertigo. It usually feels like a spinning or a whirling sensation. Any kind of lightheadedness felt can be intermittent or consistent. This can be exacerbated by a sudden movement of the head too. Vertigo can also cause vomiting or nausea, and the patient won’t lose his consciousness if the lightheadedness is caused by inner ear. The pattern and kind of symptoms of vertigo occurs on the basis of the happenings inside the inner ear. You can consult an audiologist at clinique vertige Audiologie Centre-Ouest.
Central dizziness
The sense of dizziness doesn’t have to be linked with inner ear every time. Central dizziness is caused by lack of coordination between the brain and the parts of your balance system. This happens because of infection, migraine, tumor or multiple sclerosis. Visual dizziness can take place if the eye muscles are imbalanced. The condition also causes loss in focus, blurred vision or difficulty in reading. In rare cases, dizziness can be caused by muscular or joint issues too. And sometimes because of lack of vitamins and thyroid, and diabetes as well.
Symptoms to look out for
If you are feeling dizzy often, then look out for these symptoms and consult a physician.
- Whirling or spinning (vertigo)
- Disorientation
- Unsteadiness
- Tinnitus
- Loss of hearing
- Lightheadedness
As inner ear is majorly responsible for causing the dizziness, the patients have to go for a hearing test first. This test is called Videonystagmography or VNG which is mainly used for balance. This instrumental test offers a broad picture to prove if dizziness is caused by inner ear or not.
