Vertigo May Have a Connection with Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is not connected only to the inability of hearing and comprehending speech but also to various other health conditions, such as the sensation of imbalance or vertigo. A human's sense of balance is placed within the cochlea, a tube-shape structure in the ear where sound vibrations are turned into nerve impulses. If you are suffering from hearing loss due to some ear or head injury, you could be experiencing problems with your sense of balance.
Many people who suffer from loss of hearing, often report dizzy spells or spinning that may increase in falls.
What is Vertigo?
In simple terms, Vertigo is a dizzy, off-balance feeling or a sudden sensation of spinning, often triggered by quickly moving your head. Accidentally or unintentionally, it can happen once, however, if you are regularly experiencing this imbalance, then you must meet a certified audiologist or ENT specialist for a proper diagnosis of your problem.
What is the connection of Vertigo with hearing loss?
The human system of balance depends on the labyrinth, a portion of the inner ear responsible for hearing and equilibrium. The labyrinth includes the cochlear duct where the hearing nerves are located, and near the cochlea, there are semi-circular canals and the otolithic (a fibrous inner structure in the inner ear forming a part of balance sense) organs that play a crucial role with the brain in interpreting the equilibrium. This is where our body interprets the sense of touch, sight and movement.
Though several factors can cause imbalance, or hearing loss can often accompany Vertigo, hearing loss itself cannot lead to vertigo. Hearing loss may cause balance disorders such as dizziness due to inner ear problems, as our ears perform several duties more than just hearing. The ear contains the vestibular system, known as the sense of balance or equilibrium. Hence, whenever a person suffers from hearing loss, he can also experience balance problems.
Irrespective of balance disorders and Vertigo accompanying each other or not, it is vital that whenever a person suffers hearing loss due to head or ear injury, immediate attention is required. In case of sudden hearing loss and feeling of dizziness, then it can also hint towards Ménierè's disease.
Vertigo and Ménierè's disease
Ménierè's disease is an inner ear disorder caused by a change in the ear pressure and build-up of fluid. The condition affects the vestibular system and can result in swelling of the cochlea, leading to dizziness, feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear and often fluctuation in hearing loss. Typically, Meniere's disease affects only one ear and can range from mild to severe. Recurring episodes of spinning sensation is a common symptom of Ménierè's disease.
Besides, certain medications can lead to vertigo, along with a ringing or buzzing noise in the ear called tinnitus.
What can you do?
The best way to deal with this problem is to take the help of an ENT specialist and audiologist who can find the root cause of the dizziness and hearing loss, and offer a befitting solution to make you feel better. A complete and accurate diagnosis is crucial not only from the treatment point of view but also helps you in averting the emotional impact associated with hearing loss since it can develop fear and loss of confidence, especially at work.
The doctor may use techniques such as the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre in which you have to sit and move your head in certain positions. He may also use some imaging, hearing and balance examinations. The treatment may involve vestibular rehabilitation therapy, certain medications and exercises which can help you alleviate symptoms of vertigo. Surgery might be needed when there is a head injury or brain tumour.
Hearing loss is easy to treat and manage, you just need the proper guidance.
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