Dizziness and Hearing Loss - The reasons, causes and treatments

Information About Dizziness, Hearing Loss

Looking into the body's balance system

Dizziness and hearing loss can coexist

Dizziness and hearing loss can coexist due to shared inner ear structures. Conditions like Meniere's disease or vestibular schwannoma may cause both symptoms. Inner ear infections or inflammation can also lead to temporary dizziness and hearing loss. Prompt medical evaluation is vital to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

As well as looking into the reasons, causes, and treatments - we will be focusing on the inner ear, hearing loss, and dizziness in this article.

Hearing loss and dizziness are linked

Hearing loss and dizziness often go hand in hand, indicating potential underlying health issues. Hearing loss refers to a reduced ability to perceive sounds, either partially or completely. It can stem from various causes, such as ageing, exposure to loud noises, infections, or genetic factors.

Dizziness and hearing loss are two separate medical conditions, but they can sometimes be related. Dizziness is a common symptom of hearing loss, especially in people with severe or profound hearing loss. It can also be a side effect of certain medications used to treat hearing loss.

Dizziness is common

Dizziness is a common reason people see their GP.  If you are feeling dizzy, it is important that you seek medical help quickly to be evaluated.  Dizziness can be due to various conditions and illnesses but is usually caused when the connection between the eyes, inner ear, and the brain is damaged. 

What is dizziness?

Although dizziness can take many forms, it is always when there is a disturbance to your sense of balance.  It can be caused by a number of factors, including inner ear disorders, vestibular disorders, cardiovascular problems, and certain medications.

The symptoms of dizziness can be unsteadiness, disorientation, spinning, nausea, and feeling light-headed.  But how and why does this happen?

Inside your ears, there are three small semi-circular canals containing both fluid and crystals - known as endolymphs and otoliths.  These crystals move and float in the fluid mirroring your body's angular position.  

There are two other semi-circular structures called the utricle and saccule, which recognise horizontal and vertical movements of your body.  Combined, are your balance organ that assists your body in understanding when you are going up, down, left, right, forward, and backwards, as well as touch and sight.

Your balance organ synchronises with your muscles, joints, and eyesight to give you a sense of balance and orientation within your surroundings.  This is called the vestibular system.  This system relies on the maze of tissue and bone in the inner ear, which is where the cochlea and hearing nerve are located.

What are the causes of dizziness?

Dizziness is not a disease but more a symptom of a much bigger problem.  There are many triggers for dizziness such as side effects of medication, a bumpy car journey, and motion sickness.  There are also different variations of dizziness.  These are:

• Vertigo (fake sense of motion).
• Disequilibrium (a general 'wobbly' feeling).
• Light-headedness.
• Presyncope (feeling as though you are about to black out or faint).

Dizziness and hearing loss in one ear

Inner ear dizziness is common, as dizziness is generally caused by a problem with your inner ear, problematic blood circulation, or a pressure of fluid or nerves in the inner ear.  For example, after a cold, your ears can become inflamed or swollen  This can result in bouts of dizziness.

Dizziness and ringing in the ears

Vertigo tinnitus and hearing loss are suggestive of long periods of dizziness.  Various disorders affect the inner ears which can result in tinnitus (or ringing of the ears) as well as dizziness.  This could also be Meniere's disease and, in some rare cases, acoustic neuromas.

This can feel like a spinning sensation, commonly known as vertigo, together with light-headedness which may persist or come and go.  It may feel stronger when your head moves or when there are sudden movements in your body.  There may also be nausea, however Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (or BPPV) has no other symptoms other than dizziness.

Is Hearing Loss and Dizziness Related?

 What does dizziness and hearing loss mean?

What can cause dizziness and hearing loss?

What are the causes of dizziness and hearing loss?  Balance and hearing are linked, as they share a pathway to the brain, and this is why there are many medical conditions that contribute to the causes of dizziness and hearing loss.  Such as severe allergic reactions, side effects of medication, circulatory conditions, and viral and bacterial infections of the inner ear. 

Your ears oversee more than just hearing - they hold your vestibular system.  This is why hearing loss affects your ability to hear and understand speech, but it can also affect your balance and cause balance disorders.

If you are experiencing hearing loss combined with any of these symptoms, you must seek medical help from your GP.  If, when evaluated, you need hearing support they will refer you to an audiologist for a full hearing test and future solutions. 

What is Meniere's disease?

Sometimes hearing loss and balance or dizziness aren't connected, and you might have Meniere's disease.  This is an ear condition that affects the vestibular system and the inner ear.   The inner ear and the Corti (part of the cochlea) fill with fluid and become swollen.  This then leads to dizziness, hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness in your ear.  The symptoms, like hearing loss, can range from mild to severe.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing dizziness and hearing loss, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional first to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. An audiologist can support you in diagnosing the cause of your hearing loss and provide effective solutions to help you feel and hear better again.

Maintaining good hearing health will improve your overall mental, health and well-being in the future.  In some cases, treating the underlying cause of the dizziness, such as an inner ear disorder or hearing loss, can also improve the dizziness. In other cases, treatment may include medications or balance therapy to manage the dizziness.

It is also important to protect your hearing and avoid loud noises whenever possible, as hearing loss can lead to dizziness and other balance issues. Wearing earplugs or earmuffs when exposed to loud noises, and avoiding listening to music or other sounds at high volumes, can help to prevent hearing loss and the associated dizziness.

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