Vestibular Disorder With Tinnitus

Vestibular disorders and tinnitus are problems involving the inner ear. A person suffering from tinnitus hears various sounds and has hearing problems. A person who suffers from vestibular disorders suffers balance issues.
Thomas Coleman, in his article "Tinnitus Miracle," explains that in the case of an infection, the middle ear becomes exposed to the infection and to decay. This in turn affects the nerves. He says this is the most common cause of vestibular disorder and tinnitus and that the two are related. When the ear is infected it tries to heal itself by creating fluid which overloads it until it puts pressure on the ear canal. That pressure causes the vertigo and the ringing.

Symptoms

• The symptoms of a vestibular disorder are vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, difficulty walking, clumsiness, a general lack of coordination and a sensitivity to certain shoes or ground surfaces. The Vestibular Disorder Association (VDA) also lists the need or tendency to look toward the ground, as if confirming the location of the ground. Vision problems are also a symptom. They can include difficulty in depth perception and a sensitivity to light. The VDA also lists cognitive and psychological symptoms. Depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and confusion are all symptoms. Other symptoms include ear aches, headaches and nausea.
  Tinnitus is by definition the ringing or roaring in the ears.

Causes

• Dr. Lisa Haven associates hearing loss due to noise exposure with tinnitus. A hearing loss due to the accumulation of ear wax is also associated with tinnitus. Tinnitus brought on by an injury to the head or neck areas tends to be more severe.

Diagnosis

• As with most health concerns, your doctor will attempt to eliminate other health problems. Your family doctor may refer you to an audiologist. The audiologist may test not just your hearing but also the physical condition of the eardrum. There are also tests which measure how the sound travels from the ear to the brain.

Treatment

• The treatment depends on the cause, according to Dr. Haven. If infection is the cause, then treating the infection will in turn cause the tinnitus to subside. Most cases, however, will be difficult to determine a specific cause and therefore treat. Treatment can be in the form of medication, counseling and medical devices.
  A masking device lessens the noise. It does not block the noise but rather, according to Dr. Haven, it "obscures" the noise. The "white noise" is especially useful to tinnitus sufferers when sleeping.

Prevent Vestibular Disorders with Tinnitus

• Avoiding loud noises and wearing ear protection are obvious precautions. Dr. Haven also recommends proper rest, daily exercise and, if needed, regulating your blood pressure.