Hearing and Balance Disorders

Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for dizziness and balance problems.

Dizziness is a symptom, not a disease. It can range from mild unsteadiness to severe vertigo—the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning. Understanding where your dizziness comes from is the first step toward finding relief.

Types of Dizziness

Dizziness can originate from different parts of the body, and identifying the source helps determine the right treatment.

  • Ear dizziness: caused by inner ear fluid pressure, circulation issues, or balance nerve problems—often accompanied by hearing loss or tinnitus
  • Central dizziness: occurs when the brain can’t properly coordinate nerve impulses, potentially from circulation problems, tumors, or injuries
  • Visual dizziness: results from eye muscle imbalance or vision errors, such as wearing the wrong eyeglass prescription

Common Conditions

Several specific conditions frequently cause balance problems.

  • BPPV (Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo): brief episodes triggered by head position changes, caused by loose calcium deposits in the inner ear
  • Meniere’s Disease: repeated attacks of spinning vertigo lasting minutes to hours, often with fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus
  • Circulation changes: blood vessel spasms, blockages, or ruptures that reduce blood flow to inner ear structures
  • Infection: ear infections that damage the balance mechanism
  • Neuritis: nerve inflammation from trauma, viruses, or vascular compression
  • Age-related imbalance: circulatory changes affecting small blood vessels in the inner ear
  • Metabolic issues: thyroid dysfunction or blood sugar abnormalities

Treatment Approaches

Most balance disorders respond well to non-surgical treatment. The goal is to address the underlying cause while managing symptoms.

  • Medical treatment: anti-dizziness medications, diuretics to reduce fluid pressure, and addressing underlying causes like allergies or metabolic issues
  • Lifestyle modifications: avoiding caffeine and nicotine, which constrict blood vessels
  • Vestibular rehabilitation: habituation exercises, balance retraining, and conditioning programs—typically performed twice daily
  • Surgical options: reserved for cases where medical treatment fails, including procedures like endolymphatic shunts or vestibular neurectomy

Questions?

Call us at 408-358-5123 if you’re struggling with dizziness or balance problems. We can help identify the cause.