What is dizziness?
Dizziness is a symptom, not a disease. People use the word to describe various sensations including spinning vertigo, imbalance, and lightheadedness. Dizziness can be caused by a multitude of disorders, and requires expertise in making the appropriate diagnosis. back to top
Does "vertigo" mean the same as "dizzy"?
Vertigo is a term reserved for a sense of motion when the body is really at rest. Most often, vertigo is experienced as a spinning sensation like that experienced after getting off of a merry-go-round. Linear motion or a rocking motion are also described. back to top
What causes dizziness?
The words "woozy," "about to black out," "tunnel vision," and "lightheadedness" are associated with dizziness. These sensations are almost always due to insufficient blood flow to the brain. In general, symptoms are worse when standing and improve with lying down. This kind of dizziness is frequently experienced by healthy individuals who rise quickly from a chair, often after a meal, and have a few seconds of disorientation.
Another cause of dizziness is related to various physiological conditions often associated with anxiety. Hyperventilation can cause lightheadedness and a sense of unsteadiness, as well as tingling around the mouth and fingertips. The many other causes of dizziness may be due to an acoustic tumor located on the balance nerve or many other serious conditions. It is important to seek medical attention if your dizziness stays the same or worsens with time.
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What should I do if I have dizziness?
We recommend that if your dizziness stays the same or worsens with time, you should seek medical attention. At the Ear Institute of Texas, our experienced physicians conduct a thorough medical history and evaluation of dizziness, with the understanding that there are many potential causes, some more dangerous than others. We utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to evaluate the inner ear as well as contributions from the other organ systems involved in maintaining balance (vision, pressure receptors in muscles and joints, and central nervous system). All of this information is analyzed by our physicians, helping them to arrive at a diagnosis. back to top
Are there treatments for dizziness?
YES! Once a diagnosis of the dizziness is established, physical therapy can be directed for most causes. Some forms of dizziness, such as with Meniere's disease, may require medical, or rarely surgical, treatment. Vestibular therapy/balance retraining is a relatively new advance in treating many forms of dizziness, and is offered at the Ear Institute of Texas for comprehensive care of our patients. back to top
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is common disorder in which individuals experience an abnormal perception of sound not coming from the surrounding environment. It is frequently associated with age-related hearing loss, but can also indicate more rare conditions such as tumors on the hearing nerve. back to top
Are there treatments for tinnitus?
Patients with tinnitus are often told by physicians and friends that there is nothing that can be done and to “learn to live with it.” However, in actuality, here at the Ear Institute of Texas we offer a number of treatments that our patients find beneficial. These alternatives included masking techniques, amplification, biofeedback, and prescription medications. back to top
Why do my friends and family members complain that I need to check my hearing if I feel that I hear just fine?
Hearing loss can be a slowly progressive condition that may not be recognized by a person until it reaches a certain level. It is also a condition that is commonly denied by its sufferers. People frequently blame others for “not speaking clearly” and “not facing me when they talk” (a sign that the person is relying partially on lip reading). Sufferers of hearing loss need to be aware that studies indicate appropriate treatment of hearing loss is shown to decrease feelings of isolation and depression, as well as improve a person’s ability to integrate normally into society (e.g. in their social groups and workplace). Denial is not the answer. back to top
What are the warning signs of hearing loss?
Some warning signs include:
 Asking people to repeat themselves
Missing large parts of conversations when there is a lot of background noise
Finding it hard to understand dialogue at the movies or the theater
Complaining that people around you are mumbling when they speak
Inability to hear common sounds like doorbells or alarm clocks
If you think you have a hearing loss, please contact your physician soon. In some cases, hearing loss can be prevented from worsening. back to top
What causes hearing loss?
There are many possible causes of hearing loss including:
• Aging
• Genetics
• Noise
• Trauma to the head
• Infection
• Meniere's Disease
• Tumors
• Otosclerosis
• Congenital Disorders
• Physical blockage
If you think you have a hearing loss, you should see a doctor to get a hearing test to determine the cause and whether or not it is permanent or temporary.
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How common is hearing loss?
Hearing loss is a very prominent condition in our society. It affects 28 million Americans (10% of the population), including 35-40% of people over the age of 65 and 50% over the age of 74 years old. In some cases, hearing loss can be congenital, meaning that the person could be born with a lack of hearing.
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When could my baby’s hearing screening be done?
One out of every 500 babies has hearing loss. A hearing screening can be arranged through our clinic and in some cases the pediatrician. To insure that a problem is identified early it is best to arrange testing within the first 6 weeks of age. Appointments can be scheduled during your baby’s nap time.
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How do I find a good audiologist?
The Texas Department of Health is the certifying organization for audiologists; they can provide you with names of certified audiologists in your area. During your first visit, determine whether or not you are comfortable with this person. Much like when you select your primary care physician, you need to feel that you trust the person and that you have good rapport. This will be a long term relationship, so be sure you are comfortable with the person from the start.
Audiologists are health care professionals with a minimum level of education of a master's degree. The audiologist at the Ear Institute of Texas has an AuD and is licensed by the State of Texas. back to top
If I am unhappy with standard hearing aids, are there any other options?
Depending on the results of your audiogram and the last time you tried traditional hearing aids, another demonstration of current technologies may be in order. Open fittings and digital hearing aids have seen a huge increase in user satisfaction, largely due to benefits of "increased comfort, improved sound quality, and feeling less 'stuffy' and occluded (echo in the ear)." Mini (small-sized) hearing aids have greatly improved the cosmetics of amplification over the past few years. Other alternatives which are appropriate for some patients are the surgically implantable BAHA (a bone anchored hearing aid) or a cochlear implant (for people with severe to profound hearing impairment). back to top
What is a cochlear implant?
A cochlear implant is an electronic device designed to bypass the external and middle ear and excite the auditory nerve directly. It is implanted in the cochlea and, by stimulating auditory nerve fibers, patterns of nerve activity occur which the brain interprets as sound. Cochlear implants are the hearing solution for people with severe to profound hearing loss in both ears.
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What type of hearing protector do I need for my work environment or hobby?
You have to consider the following factors: the noise level, the exposure time, and the comfort and ease of use of the protective device. First, you have to select a hearing protector that has adequate attenuation for your work environment. Second, you have to consider how you are going to use the protector. You may, for instance, choose a different protector if your use is intermittent, requiring you to take the protector on and off frequently, than if you are going to work a continuous eight hour shift in a noisy environment. An earmuff may be preferable in the intermittent environment, while an earplug may be the choice in a long-term exposure. An earmuff may be preferred in a cold environment, while an earplug may be the choice in a hot and humid environment. However, there is no right or wrong choice, as long as you choose a hearing protector with adequate protection and use it correctly for the entire exposure time. back to top
What can cause a feeling of ear plugging?
A fullness or plugged sensation in the ear can be caused by a variety of conditions, including: ear wax, ear infections, eardrum perforations, eustachian tube problems, inflammation of the jaw joint (TMJ), and increased inner ear fluid pressure (hydrops/Meniere’s disease). back to top
What is Meniere's Disease?
Meniere’s disease is classified as an inner ear disorder that causes repeated attacks of dizziness and the discomfort of fullness from the affected ear. This is due to increase pressure of the inner ear fluids.
Fluids in the inner ear chambers are constantly being produced and absorbed by the circulatory system. If there are any disturbances in the delicate relationship, there is an over production or under absorption of the fluids. This leads to increased fluid pressure (which may be felt) that usually produces dizziness which can be associated with fluctuating hearing loss and ringing in the ear. It is rare for someone to be affected in both ears at the same time. Evaluation by an Otologist or Neurotologist (Inner Ear Specialist) is needed to determine the cause of the increased fluid pressure. Circulatory, metabolic, toxic, allergic, or emotional factors may play a part in any case. back to top
What are the symptoms of Meniere’s?
Meniere’s disease is characterized by severe attacks of dizziness that can vary from a few minutes to several hours or even days. Hearing loss and head noise (ringing in the ear) usually accompany the attacks. The dizziness attacks can occur suddenly without any warning. Violent spinning, whirling, and falling sensations along with nausea are the most common symptoms. For some, a sensation of pressure (fullness) in the ear is usually present. Sometimes if the pressure is severe, it can effect normal activities by causing lack of concentration and short term memory loss. These attacks may occur at irregular intervals. The individual can be free of symptoms for many years at a time.
Occasionally hearing impairment, tinnitus (ear noise), and ear pressure occur without dizziness. This type of Meniere’s disease is called cochlear hydrops. Dizziness and ear pressure may occur without hearing loss and ringing: this is called vestibular hydrops. Treatment for both of these is the same as the treatment for Meniere’s. back to top
What types of treatments are available for Meniere's disease?
Meniere’s disease can be treated with both medically or surgically options.
Medical Options: Treatment may vary, depending on the patient. This depends on several factors according to the cause, magnitude, and frequency of the symptoms. In order to improve the inner ear circulation and control the fluid pressure, treatment may consist of medication to stimulate the inner ear circulation. Drugs which accomplish this are vasodilating drugs (blood pressure pills) and diuretics (water pills) with anti-dizziness medication. People with Meniere’s should avoid caffeine and nicotine for this opposes the effects of the drug treatment. Another form of treatment is special diets that reduce salt and/or potassium.
Surgical Options: Surgery is only recommended when medical treatment fails to relieve the attacks of dizziness and pressure. Surgery is successful in relieving acute attacks in the majority of patients. back to top
How is the vestibular system affected during a concussion?
A concussion is defined as "an immediate acceleration, deceleration, or stopping event causing temporary or permanent damage to the structures of the head." The vestibular system, and more specifically the labyrinthine structures within the inner ear, appear to be more susceptible to blunt head trauma than the skull or brain. Symptoms from both types of concussions can be similar; however, the treatment for each is significantly different. This is why even “small concussions” can cause lasting problems and it is never too late to seek effective treatment for the symptoms. back to top
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