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Dyslexia & Inner Ear Problems

In 1973, Dr. Harold Levinson published an article in the Journal of Child Psychiatry claiming the cause of dyslexia is related to a defect in the portion of the brain responsible for muscular movement and the inner ear. Levinson's theory remains the topic of debate among dyslexia researchers.

  1. Dyslexia Defined

    • According to the International Dyslexia Association, "dyslexia is a neurological condition and specific learning disability characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities."

    Levinson's Theory

    • Dr. Levinson, after performing research on dyslexic patients, concluded the inner ear sends messages to the brain which, in turn, triggers eye movement. The eye movement allows an individual to read words on a page. When the communication between the inner ear and brain becomes confused, dyslexia results.

    Levinson's Dyslexia Treatment

    • Dr. Levinson treats dyslexic patients with motion sickness medication. He believes this same medication helps individuals with attention deficit disorder. Levinson says, "It fine tunes the signals, the individual can see better, they can stand better, they can remember better, they can concentrate better and they can control their activity levels and their impulsivity."

    Official Cause Unknown

    • The exact cause of dyslexia, according to the International Dyslexia Assocation, has yet to be discovered. Brain imagery, however, shows differences between the brain function of a dyslexic person and normal brain function. Dyslexia does not influence intelligence. Many dyslexics have above average intelligence.

    Levinson Critics

    • Those criticizing Dr. Levinson's dyslexia theory disagree with the doctor's research methods. According to Dr. Larry Silver, former deputy director of the National Institutes of Health, Levinson's research wasn't valid or conclusive. Silver says Levinson's 1973 study was flawed and only qualified a hypothesis, not a a conclusion.

    Levinson Supporters

    • Dr. Wallace Rubin, a specialist in the workings of the brain and inner ear, supports Dr. Levinson's theory. "We began a pilot study this year [1985] on 100 dyslexic children and adults," says Rubin. "We have thus far confirmed pretty much what Levinson wrote about."

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