Dizziness and Balance

What Is the Balance System?

Your balance system, also called your vestibular system, is one of your sensory systems. It provides your brain with information about balance, movement, and your body’s location in the environment.

This system is located in your inner ear—along with the cochlea, which is part of your hearing system. The vestibular system includes three fluid-filled tubes in your inner ear, called semicircular canals, which give information to your brain about your balance.

The first canal senses up and down movement. The second canal senses side-to-side movement. The third canal senses tilting movement. Each canal has special hair cells within the fluid that move as your head and body move. These cells send messages to your brain through the acoustic nerve, which is dedicated to hearing and balance. These messages—along with what you see, hear, and sense with your body—help you stay balanced.

What if You Have a Problem With Your Balance System?

A problem with your balance system is called a balance disorder. A balance disorder can negatively affect your life in several ways. You may be more likely to fall. You may also feel dizziness. The term dizziness describes various feelings. Some of those feelings include unsteadiness, lightheadedness, and vertigo, which is a sensation of moving and spinning. These symptoms may make you feel nervous and even change the way you walk or move around. For example, you may walk slowly or move your head less.

What Are Some Signs and Symptoms of a Balance Disorder?

Signs and symptoms of a balance disorder include:

• difficulty walking or moving around
• dizziness, lightheadedness, vertigo (feeling like you’re moving or spinning)
• falling
• headaches
• motion sickness
• nausea
• visual problems

These symptoms may come about suddenly, or they may be triggered by something, such as head movement, body position, or visual stimulation. Some symptoms may be constant, and some may happen once in a while. Dizziness can last for seconds or hours.

What Causes a Balance Disorder?

Several different health conditions or issues may cause balance problems. Causes include:

• problems with your heart, blood vessels, or circulation
• head injury
• injury to the ear or vestibular system
• inner ear disorders
• side effects of medicines
• diseases or disorders related to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves
• sudden hearing loss
• sudden vision changes
• surgeries
• tumors on the acoustic nerve
• viruses and infections

Sometimes, hearing loss and balance problems happen at the same time for the same reason, such as an inner ear disorder like Ménière's disease.

Seeing a Professional

Balance problems and dizziness may be symptoms of a larger health issue. It is important to see your doctor about symptoms such as blurred vision, sudden hearing loss, falls, or weakness.

Testing for Balance Disorders

An audiologist who specializes in balance disorders can test your balance and provide balance care. They will examine your ears and test your hearing. Specific balance tests can help identify what is causing your dizziness and/or balance problems. These balance tests may use specialized equipment.

Treatment for Balance Disorders

In some cases, your balance problems will be treated by your medical doctor with medication or surgery. Audiologists and other rehabilitation professionals can provide vestibular rehabilitation—a type of balance treatment to help reduce dizziness and other bothersome symptoms. This rehabilitation may involve movement and exercises of the head, eyes, and body.

To find an audiologist near you, visit ProFind.

Resources

Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement.

• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Balance Disorders
• The American Institute of Balance
• Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA)