Tinnitus is abnormal noise perceived in one or both ears or in the head. Tinnitus (pronounced either “TIN-uh-tus” or “tin-NY-tus”) may be intermittent, or it might appear as a constant or continuous sound. It can be experienced as a ringing, hissing, whistling, buzzing, or clicking sound and can vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal.
Cause Infection or inflammation of the cochleovestibular nerve. Summary Vestibular Neuritis (or neuronitis) is a vestibular condition that is commonly caused by the inflammation of the vestibular branch of the 8th cranial nerve, which is
Hyperacusis is the perception of unusual auditory sensitivity to some environmental noises or tones. The effects of hyperacusis can range from a mild sense of unease to a complete loss of balance or upright posture with severe ear pain. Cochlear hyperacusis can be treated with acoustic therapies such as tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT). Vestibular hyperacusis, however, continues to go untreated or unrecognized in many cases.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (or BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo, which is a false sensation of spinning.
– Benign – it is not life-threatening
– Paroxysmal – it comes in sudden, brief spells
– Positional – it gets triggered by certain head positions or movements
– Vertigo – a false sense of rotational movement
BPPV is a mechanical problem in the inner ear. It occurs when some of the calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) that are normally embedded in gel in the utricle become dislodged and migrate into one or more of the 3 fluid-filled semicircular canals, where they are not supposed to be. When enough of these particles accumulate in one of the canals they interfere with the normal fluid movement that these canals use to sense head motion, causing the inner ear to send false signals to the brain.
Professional Organizations Academy of Doctors of Audiology American Academy of Audiology American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery American Laryngological Association American Neurotology Society American Neurotology Society American Osteopathic College of Otolaryngology American Otological Society
Support groups offer people with vestibular disorders an opportunity to meet face-to-face with others who are experiencing similar challenges, as well as to hear presentations by health professionals on topics of interest. The Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) serves as a hub for, and offers assistance to, support groups around the world. VeDA recently surveyed the leaders of these groups in an effort to identify the characteristics of successful support groups and how VeDA might improve the assistance it provides to them.
Of the 57 surveys that were distributed to group leaders, 27 were completed and mailed back to VeDA. Although the structure of the survey does not support rigorous statistical analysis, the compiled responses are summarized here, providing some observations about the features and leadership strategies of thriving groups (long-running groups and/or those that meet regularly), as opposed to those that struggle to meet regularly and maintain interest levels.
Wondering how to get your support group talking? Sometimes it just takes presenting a topic to the group and starting the conversation with some questions to promote a lively discussion. You may want to query
Invite a guest speaker Start the meeting with a lecture; allow questions from the audience afterward. Being a guest speaker at a meeting is one of the most important ways in which professionals can support
If you administer a vestibular disorders support group (or want to), we’re eager to help. VeDA assists support groups by publishing contact information for new or established groups as well as meeting dates and times in our Support Group Directory. We also provide administrative tools to make running a support group easy.
Vestibular Research Studies Below are clinical studies that are currently recruiting research study participants. You can find more studies recruiting patients at ClinicalTrials.gov. *If you are a VeDA professional member and would like to recruit
What type of vestibular specialist is right for me? Several types of health care professionals may become involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of dizziness and balance disorders. Below are brief descriptions of some
The use of medication in treating vestibular disorders depends on whether the vestibular system dysfunction is in an initial or acute phase (lasting up to 5 days) or chronic phase (ongoing).
During the acute phase, and when other illnesses have been ruled out, medications that may be prescribed include vestibular suppressants to reduce motion sickness or anti-emetics to reduce nausea. Vestibular suppressants include three general drug classes: anticholinergics, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines. Examples of vestibular suppressants are meclizine and dimenhydinate (antihistamine-anticholinergics) and lorazepam and diazepam (benzodiazepines).
Other medications that may be prescribed are steroids (e.g., prednisone), antiviral drugs (e.g., acyclovir), or antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin) if a middle ear infection is present. If nausea has been severe enough to cause excessive dehydration, intravenous fluids may be given.
During the chronic phase, symptoms must be actively experienced without interference in order for the brain to adjust, a process called vestibular compensation. Any medication that makes the brain sleepy, including all vestibular suppressants, can slow down or stop the process of compensation. Therefore, they are often not appropriate for long-term use. Physicians generally find that most patients who fail to compensate are either strictly avoiding certain movements, using vestibular suppressants daily, or both.