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Neurotoxic Central Vestibulopathy

WHAT IS CENTRAL NEUROTOXIC VESTIBULOPATHY? Central neurotoxic vestibulopathy is a poisoning of certain cells called neurons that help control balance by receiving and processing information from the inner ear vestibular sense organs (the semicircular canals,

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Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction

Reduction or loss of vestibular function bilaterally results in difficulty maintaining balance, especially when walking in the dark or on uneven surfaces, and in a decrease in the patient’s ability to see clearly during head movements. In addition, patients with bilateral vestibular hypofunction or loss (BVH or BVL) also complain of intense feelings of being off-balance and of strange but disturbing sensations in their heads with head movement. Because of these problems, patients with BVH may restrict their activities and can become socially isolated.

Primary Complaints include:
– Balance and Risk for Falling
– Oscillopsia (visual blurring that occurs during head movements)
– Sense of Disequilibrium, Imbalance, and Dizziness
– Physical Deconditioning

Vestibular rehabilitation can improve postural stability, decrease the sense of disequilibrium, and improve visual acuity during head movements enabling people with BVH to resume a more normal life. Unfortunately, most patients have residual functional problems and subjective complaints. The exercises used for patients with BVL are aimed at fostering the substitution of alternative strategies to compensate for the lost vestibular function and at improving any remaining vestibular function.

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Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness

PPPD symptoms include non-vertiginous dizziness and unsteadiness that is increased by a person’s own motion, exposure to environments with a complex or moving stimuli (e.g., stores, crowds), and performance of tasks that required precise visual focus (e.g., reading, using a computer). PPPD is NOT a psychiatric disorder, but rather a neuro-otologic condition with behavioral elements.

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Vision & Hearing

Our vision tells us where we are in space and plays an important role in helping us maintain our balance. When our eyes are not functioning correctly and/or are not working together, vestibular symptoms can arise.

Some vestibular disorders may result in hearing problems, such as hearing loss, tinnitus (the perception of a constant ringing or other sound) and hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound).

Managing vision and hearing problems appropriately is part of an effective vestibular treatment plan.

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Mental Health

Symptoms from vestibular disorders are invisible and unpredictable. This does not mean that they are imaginary, but that they often contribute to a wide range of psychological impacts. People who have a vestibular disorder often need support and may benefit from counseling to cope with lifestyle changes, depression, guilt, and grief that comes from no longer being able to meet their own or others’ expectations.

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Perilymph Fistula

A perilymph fistula (PLF) refers to a hole or tear in one of the membranes that separate your middle ear and inner ear. Your middle ear is filled with air, while your inner ear is filled with

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Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease

What is Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease? Autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s natural defense system has difficulty telling the difference between its own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack normal cells.

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Pediatric Vestibular Disorders

Vestibular disorders affect children When the vestibular system in children is disrupted it results in symptoms of vertigo or dizziness, oscillopsia or gaze instability, and delayed development or diminished balance and other motor abilities. Children

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Acoustic Neuroma

The following information is provided by the Acoustic Neuroma Association. This information appears in the organization’s “Newly Diagnosed Handbook”. Additional information can be found at anausa.org. What is an acoustic neuroma? Acoustic neuromas, also referred to

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Ototoxicity

What is Ototoxicity? Ototoxicity: Oto = ear; toxicity = poisoning Ototoxicity is, quite simply, ear poisoning (oto = ear, toxicity = poisoning), which results from exposure to drugs or chemicals that damage the inner ear

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