Do Your Ears Help You Balance?

When you think about what your ears do to help you out, you probably think about listening to music or enjoying a phone call with a friend. However, your ears have a bigger and more complicated job in your body than you might realize. How do your ears help you balance?

Do Your Ears Help You Balance?

If you’ve ever experienced chronic dizziness, you know it’s a difficult condition to treat. One of the things that specialists recommend for those struggling with their balance is vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), a treatment that helps repair the vestibular system in the inner ear. But why would dizziness be a condition you treat via the inner ear? How do your ears help you balance?

Understanding Your Vestibular System

When you think of your ears, you probably think of the ears you see when you look in the mirror. It’s important to remember that you have an inner ear as well. While the outside of your ear is shaped to help you hear sounds, your inner ear has a few other functions. One of those functions is managing your vestibular system, or the tiny organs inside of your inner ear that maintain your sense of balance.

How does the vestibular system work? Your inner ear contains loop-shaped channels that are filled with fluids and fine hair. These canals help your head understand where your body is in space, depending on where the fluid sits in the channels. This gives your brain the information it needs to correct your body’s balance when necessary. When this system is affected by an outside condition, it can make you feel like you’re off-balance, even when everything is fine. This is why dizziness and other conditions can be so disorienting.

What Happens When the Vestibular System Doesn’t Work Correctly?

Sometimes the vestibular system can be temporarily affected by illness, such as a sinus infection that causes inflammation in the ear canal. This kind of dizziness is common and typically goes away once the illness subsides.

However, there are conditions and events that can cause a more serious problem with the vestibular system:

• Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions
• Repeated and prolonged infections and illnesses
• Calcium deposit build-ups in the inner ear
• Circulation issues in the inner ear
• Medication side effects

Some of these conditions are easy to spot. However, others are trickier. That’s why knowing the symptoms of inner ear issues can be a lifesaver:

• Dizziness and vertigo
• Feeling like you’re moving when you’re holding still
• Frequent falling or stumbling
• Disorientation
• Nausea and stomach issues
• Anxiety and fear

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above and cannot find another explanation, you may be experiencing an inner ear issue. So, what can you do about it?

How Can I Fix My Inner Ear Problem?

Inner ear problems are more common than you might think. However, it can sometimes be difficult to find medical professionals that know how to treat them. If you suspect you might have an inner ear problem, your best option is to reach out to a professional that specializes in dizziness and balance issues. They’ll be able to test you for various conditions and help you identify the problem.

Once you know what’s causing your inner ear issues, there are lots of things you can do to fix them. Lifestyle changes, vestibular therapy, and other medical interventions are often very effective. A diagnosis is the first step to fixing the problem once and for all.

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Do your ears help you balance? Believe it or not, they really do have a significant role in keeping you on your feet. And if they’re not doing the job, there’s help waiting for you at the National Dizzy and Balance Center.

Looking for help with dizziness and balance issues? Reach out to the professionals at the National Dizzy & Balance Center. We specialize in diagnosing and treating migraine issues, including vestibular migraines, head pain, and ongoing dizziness. To learn more about our approach, please contact us online or by phone. Or if you’re ready to get started, schedule your free medical consultation today.