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Dizziness Associated with Hearing Loss

Hearing is an amazing gift of nature. We highly depend upon our hearing to perform even the smallest tasks in our daily life. Additionally, our ear also helps us keep the balance of our body. One can say that the relationship between hearing and balancing is intertwined in our anatomy.

The cochlea of our ear helps us register the sound we hear and send them to the brain. Additionally, the fluids inside the cochlea are solely responsible for upholding our balance. Therefore it can be easily said that the ear is the house that hosts both our hearing and balance. However, this can often cause problems in the human body. If any of those senses is affected, the other is also infected.

In this article, we are going to discuss the relationship between dizziness and hearing loss and the symptoms one should look out for.

How Dizziness and Hearing Loss is Related

Dizziness often occurs due to disturbances in the fluid found in the inner ear. Additionally, any physiological changes or pressure on the balance nerves can cause dizziness. In elevated situations, these imbalances can lead to developing tinnitus or hearing loss. In contrast, a person with hearing loss can also experience dizziness. In such cases, the inner ear is severely impacted, and so does the system that helps us balance our body. Therefore, it is evident that both dizziness and hearing loss are highly related to each other.

Other Dizziness Related Health Conditions

Vertigo

The dizziness which results from an inner ear condition is known as vertigo. A person with vertigo is presented with a spinning or whirling sensation.

They can have constant or situational lightheadedness feelings. A sudden movement even by the head can trigger this condition. Vomiting or nausea can be a pretty common side effect of vertigo.

However, as the dizziness is caused by the inner ear, the patient may not lose consciousness. The worse the damage of the inner ear, the worse is the pattern and symptoms of vertigo occur in a patient.

Central Dizziness

This kind of dizziness may not be associated with an inner ear at all. Central dizziness occurs when the brain faces problems collaborating with the three parts of the balance system.

Migraine, infections, tumors, or degenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis can be responsible for central dizziness.

If the muscles in the eyes are not balanced, visual dizziness, inability to focus, intermittent blurred vision, or reading difficulties can occur as well. In some rare cases, muscular or joints can also be subjected to dizziness too—some general health issues like a vitamin deficiency.

Thyroid deficiency or diabetes can also result in dizziness.

Symptoms to Look Out

Dizziness can be an important mark of an underlying serious health condition. Therefore, if you get dizzy too often or have any of the following symptoms, consult a physician as soon as possible. The conditions being:

  • Whirling or spinning
  • Disorientation
  • Unsteadiness
  • Tinnitus
  • Loss of hearing
  • Lightheadedness

Tests For Dizziness

As dizziness often occurs due to problems in the inner ear, a hearing evaluation is often done to diagnose the problem.

Another test for balance in VNG, often performed by an ear-nose-throat specialist. In this test, a video camera is used to record eye movements while the patient takes a visual stimulus, and the ear canals are stimulated with warm and cool air or water. This gives a clear picture of the issue if the dizziness is related to the inner ear or not.

Treatment for Dizziness

The underlying causes for dizziness heavily influence the treatment. Therefore, we cannot stress enough the importance of seeing a doctor. The doctor might prescribe medications even some simple head positioning maneuver to help the dizzy symptoms.

If dizziness occurs due to hearing loss, a hearing aid can help a lot. It will make the dizzy sensation go away as well as help the person hear better. In some cases, one might need to get a cochlear implant to receive substantial help.

Some disorders can also be treated with medications, surgery, diet, lifestyle changes, or with a combination of the above-mentioned treatments. There are also therapies that can help the brain to retrain the brain function to gain balance.

Dizziness can be a real scary disease for some people. Some may even develop anxiety and panic attacks due to dizziness. So, a rapid consultation with your physician may be fruitful if you experience any signs of dizziness.

Therefore, the physician can detect the underlying conditions at the earliest stage and treat them effectively. Your hearing health is also at high risk if you frequently experience dizziness. As you get to live one life in one body, keep it healthy for leading the best life possible. Make the best choices for your health and enjoy life to its fullest.

Jeff Campbell