The inner ear is a complicated network that houses the hearing and balance systems. Because those systems are so closely intertwined, people with hearing loss often notice that their balance is shakier than it used to be.
Let’s examine the factors that can impact hearing and balance simultaneously, and how ENTs test for both.
What Factors Impact Hearing and Balance?
The hearing sector of your inner ear houses the cochlea, which turns sound vibrations into electrical impulses, and the auditory nerve that sends the impulses to the brain, which processes them as sound.
The balance center houses the peripheral vestibular system. That system includes the semicircular canals, utricle, vestibule, saccule and vestibular nerve. The vestibular system sends information to your brain about how your body and the things around you are moving to help you stay balanced.
A few things that can interrupt both systems include:
- Acoustic neuroma. An acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous tumor that can grow on the auditory or vestibular nerve.
- Inner ear infection. Most ear infections affect the middle ear, resulting in fluid buildup and impaired hearing. Inner ear infections, although less common, can cause severe inflammation in the inner ear, significantly altering hearing and balance. Two common types of inner ear infections are labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis.
- Ménière’s disease. Ménière’s disease is a long-lasting inner ear condition that causes frequent dizziness and hearing loss.
- Ototoxic drugs. Ototoxic drugs are any medications that have the potential to damage the inner ear. Drugs used to treat cancer and severe infections are two examples.
How Do We Test for Hearing and Balance Issues?
You may need to undergo hearing and balance testing if you notice any of the following:
- Difficulty understanding speech
- Ringing in the ears
- Pain or pressure in the ears
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Headaches
If you notice any of these symptoms, your ENT specialist may recommend one or more of the following tests:
- Pure tone hearing. A pure tone hearing test measures how well you hear different frequencies at different volumes.
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAE). An OAE test measures how well the hair cells in your cochlea transmit electric impulses.
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR). An ABR test checks how effectively the auditory nerve sends signals to the brain.
- Vestibular tests. Vestibular tests measure how your balance systems—sight, touch and inner ear—work together. Your vestibular system keeps you balanced by employing the vestibulo-ocular reflex. During a vestibular test, your specialist will track your eye movements to look for abnormalities that could interrupt how the reflex works.
- Electrocochleography. An electrocochleography test is used to determine whether your inner ear has excess fluid—an important test for the diagnosis of Ménière’s disease.
Following the tests, your hearing and balance specialist will recommend treatment options, such as physical exercises, surgery or hearing aids. For more information on hearing and balance disorders or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, contact River ENT today.
