Are you looking for an Audiologist in the Akron, Ohio area that can help with Vestibular Disorders like balance, dizziness or vertigo issues?

Are you looking for an Audiologist in the Akron, Ohio area that can help with Vestibular Disorders like balance, dizziness or vertigo issues? Our Audiologist is trained to perform hearing and balance tests to help determine possible causes of dizziness or balance disorders of the inner ear.

Vestibular (Balance) System

The Vestibular or Balance System is the sensory apparatus of the inner ear that helps the body maintain its postural equilibrium.

This System is found in the inner ear and consists of three semicircular canals and two chambers. Detection of changes in movement of the head in all directions is the work of the canals.

The brain, eyes and musculosketal system all work with the Vestibular System to maintain balance and control dizziness.

If disease or injury damages these processing areas, Vestibular Disorders can result.

Our Audiologist is trained to perform hearing and balance tests to help
determine possible causes of dizziness or balance disorders of the inner ear.

What is a Balance Disorder?

A Balance Disorder is a disturbance that causes an individual to feel unsteady, giddy, woozy, or have a sensation of movement, spinning, or floating. An organ in our inner ear, the labyrinth, is an important part of our vestibular (balance) system.

The labyrinth interacts with other systems in the body, such as the visual (eyes) and skeletal (bones and joints) systems, to maintain the body's position. These systems, along with the brain and the nervous system, can be the source of balance problems.

Three structures of the labyrinth, the semicircular canals, let us know when we are in a rotary (circular) motion. The semicircular canals, the superior, posterior, and horizontal, are fluid-filled. Motion of the fluid tells us if we are moving. The semicircular canals and the visual and skeletal systems have specific functions that determine an individual's orientation.

The vestibule is the region of the inner ear where the semicircular canals converge, close to the cochlea (the hearing organ). The vestibular system works with the visual system to keep objects in focus when the head is moving. Joint and muscle receptors also are important in maintaining balance. The brain receives, interprets, and processes the information from these systems that control our balance.

What are the Symptoms of a Balance Disorder?

When balance is impaired, an individual has difficulty maintaining orientation. For example, an individual may experience the "room spinning" (Vertigo) and may not be able to walk without staggering, or may not even be able to arise. Some of the symptoms a person with a balance disorder may experience are:
Vestibular, Vertigo Disorder

Sensation of dizziness or vertigo (spinning).
Falling or a feeling of falling.
Lightheadedness or feeling woozy.
Visual blurring.
Disorientation.

Some individuals may also experience nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, faintness, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, fear, anxiety, or panic. Some reactions to the symptoms are fatigue, depression, and decreased concentration. The symptoms may appear and disappear over short time periods or may last for a longer period of time.

What causes a Balance Disorder?

Infections (viral or bacterial), head injury, disorders of blood circulation affecting the inner ear or brain, certain medications, and aging may change our balance system and result in a balance problem. Individuals who have illnesses, brain disorders, or injuries of the visual or skeletal systems, such as eye muscle imbalance and arthritis, may also experience balance difficulties. A conflict of signals to the brain about the sensation of movement can cause motion sickness (for instance, when an individual tries to read while riding in a car). Some symptoms of motion sickness are dizziness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and generalized discomfort. Balance disorders can be due to problems in any of four areas:

Peripheral vestibular disorder, a disturbance in the labyrinth.
Central vestibular disorder, a problem in the brain or its connecting nerves.
Systemic disorder, a problem of the body other than the head and brain.
Vascular disorder, or blood flow problems.

Get Tested for Inner Ear Balance Disorders to Prevent Falls.

Please call us to make an appointment for an exam to determine if you or someone you love does indeed have a balance problem. Falls are one of the most serious health issues as we age because broken bones can lead to a cascade of health problems.

Click here to go to our Contacts Page

Not sure about the state of your hearing? Take our brief hearing questionnaire to get an idea of whether you’re experiencing hearing loss that needs to be evaluated by a medical professional. The questions relate to everyday listening situations where many people with hearing losses experience difficulties hearing clearly. Click here to take our hearing questionnaire.

		Vestibular, Balance and Vertigo
		Are you looking for an Audiologist in the Akron, Ohio area that can help with Vestibular Disorders like balance, dizziness or vertigo issues? Our Audiologist is trained to perform hearing and balance tests to help determine possible causes of dizziness or balance disorders of the inner ear. Vestibular (Balance) System The Vestibular or Balance System is the sensory apparatus of the inner ear that helps the body maintain its postural equilibrium. This System is found in the inner ear and consists of three semicircular canals and two chambers. Detection of changes in movement of the head in all directions is the work of the canals. The brain, eyes and musculosketal system all work with the Vestibular System to maintain balance and control dizziness. If disease or injury damages these processing areas, Vestibular Disorders can result. Our Audiologist is trained to perform hearing and balance tests to help determine possible causes of dizziness or balance disorders of the inner ear. What is a Balance Disorder? A Balance Disorder is a disturbance that causes an individual to feel unsteady, giddy, woozy, or have a sensation of movement, spinning, or floating. An organ in our inner ear, the labyrinth, is an important part of our vestibular (balance) system. The labyrinth interacts with other systems in the body, such as the visual (eyes) and skeletal (bones and joints) systems, to maintain the body's position. These systems, along with the brain and the nervous system, can be the source of balance problems. Three structures of the labyrinth, the semicircular canals, let us know when we are in a rotary (circular) motion. The semicircular canals, the superior, posterior, and horizontal, are fluid-filled. Motion of the fluid tells us if we are moving. The semicircular canals and the visual and skeletal systems have specific functions that determine an individual's orientation. The vestibule is the region of the inner ear where the semicircular canals converge, close to the cochlea (the hearing organ). The vestibular system works with the visual system to keep objects in focus when the head is moving. Joint and muscle receptors also are important in maintaining balance. The brain receives, interprets, and processes the information from these systems that control our balance. What are the Symptoms of a Balance Disorder? When balance is impaired, an individual has difficulty maintaining orientation. For example, an individual may experience the "room spinning" (Vertigo) and may not be able to walk without staggering, or may not even be able to arise. Some of the symptoms a person with a balance disorder may experience are: Sensation of dizziness or vertigo (spinning). Falling or a feeling of falling. Lightheadedness or feeling woozy. Visual blurring. Disorientation. Some individuals may also experience nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, faintness, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, fear, anxiety, or panic. Some reactions to the symptoms are fatigue, depression, and decreased concentration. The symptoms may appear and disappear over short time periods or may last for a longer period of time. What causes a Balance Disorder? Infections (viral or bacterial), head injury, disorders of blood circulation affecting the inner ear or brain, certain medications, and aging may change our balance system and result in a balance problem. Individuals who have illnesses, brain disorders, or injuries of the visual or skeletal systems, such as eye muscle imbalance and arthritis, may also experience balance difficulties. A conflict of signals to the brain about the sensation of movement can cause motion sickness (for instance, when an individual tries to read while riding in a car). Some symptoms of motion sickness are dizziness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and generalized discomfort. Balance disorders can be due to problems in any of four areas: Peripheral vestibular disorder, a disturbance in the labyrinth. Central vestibular disorder, a problem in the brain or its connecting nerves. Systemic disorder, a problem of the body other than the head and brain. Vascular disorder, or blood flow problems. Get Tested for Inner Ear Balance Disorders to Prevent Falls. Please call us to make an appointment for an exam to determine if you or someone you love does indeed have a balance problem. Falls are one of the most serious health issues as we age because broken bones can lead to a cascade of health problems. Click here to go to our Contacts Page Not sure about the state of your hearing? Take our brief hearing questionnaire to get an idea of whether you’re experiencing hearing loss that needs to be evaluated by a medical professional. The questions relate to everyday listening situations where many people with hearing losses experience difficulties hearing clearly. Click here to take our hearing questionnaire.

Vestibular, Balance and Vertigo