- Ear-related vertigo refers to causes of vertigo that originate in the inner ear or its nerve connections.
- The main symptom is continuous or episodic vertigo.
- Associated symptoms may include changes in hearing and varying degrees of nausea.
Ear-Related Vertigo
As the name suggests, the causes of ear-related vertigo are related to the balance organs of the inner ear, the auditory-vestibular nerve, and the nerve pathways that connect it to the central nervous system. The primary symptom is dizziness, which may feel like spinning, being on a carousel, or, less commonly, somersaulting. Imbalance and unsteadiness vary. Treatment and rehabilitation are tailored to the underlying cause. If the actual spinning sensation has eased but you still experience rocking dizziness, imbalance, and unsteadiness, individually tailored vestibular rehabilitation can usually improve the functioning of the balance system and the symptoms.
The Most Common Causes of Ear-Related Dizziness
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
Causes: Caused by the accumulation of calcium crystals in the fluid circulation of the inner ear, which sends false sensory information to the brain.
The most common signs and symptoms: Short-lived, less than 30 seconds of vertigo associated with changes in head position, especially when lying down. This vertigo typically begins with turning over in bed.
Read more Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Ménière’s Disease
Causes: Disturbance of the fluid balance in the inner ear, which may be caused by excessive fluid accumulation.
The most common signs and symptoms: Recurrent episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, worsening tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a feeling of pressure in the ear.
Read more Ménière’s Disease
Vestibular neuritis
Causes: Inflammation of the balance nerve in the inner ear, most commonly associated with a viral infection.
The most common signs and symptoms: Sudden, severe spinning vertigo without hearing loss, possibly accompanied by nausea and balance problems, such as a feeling of falling to one side or forward or backwards.
Labyrinthitis
Causes: Inflammation of the inner ear, which may be caused by viruses or, less commonly, bacteria.
The most common signs and symptoms: Severe dizziness, hearing loss, and possibly tinnitus.
Perilymphatic fistula
Causes: A tear in the membrane between the inner and middle ear, which can be caused by a sudden change in pressure (e.g., from straining or trauma).
The most common signs and symptoms: Dizziness that worsens with physical exertion or coughing. Hearing loss may also occur.
Vestibular migraine
Causes: Balance disorders and vertigo associated with migraine.
The most common signs and symptoms: Episodes of dizziness that can last from minutes to hours, often without an accompanying headache.
Read more Vestibular Migraine
Cholesteatoma
Causes: Overgrowth of epithelial tissue in the middle ear, which can irritate the balance system.
The most common signs and symptoms: Dizziness, hearing loss, and possible discharge from the ear.
Acoustic neuroma
Causes: A benign tumour on the balance and hearing nerve.
The most common signs and symptoms: Gradually progressing dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
Eustachian tube dysfunction
Causes: Impaired regulation of air pressure in the middle ear.
The most common signs and symptoms: Ear congestion, a feeling of pressure, and occasional dizziness.
Symptoms associated with vertigo, which indicate cerebral vertigo
Ear-related vertigo should not be accompanied by changes in facial and body skin sensation, facial muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, or coordination difficulties in the hands and feet. If such symptoms are present, it is more likely that the dizziness is related to cerebral causes of vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance.
Read more
What causes vertigo, dizziness and imbalance?
Read more about common causes of dizziness and imbalance
PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness)
Concussion (Post-Concussion Syndrome)
