The ear is a complex organ. It isn’t just a part of the auditory process; it also plays a significant role in your sense of balance. With a complex network of organs and passageways, your ears assist with orienting yourself in space, communicating with the brain on which way is up and what direction your head is facing. We’re constantly in motion, and so is the world around us. Our sense of balance is how our body makes sense of movement.
The Inner Ear and the Vestibular System
The inner ear is the seat of the vestibular system, which is the network of sensory organs and neural pathways that maintain our sense of balance. The main vestibular organs in the inner ear together are called the “labyrinth,” named due to their maze-like passageways. As you move your head and body, these organs in your inner ear are calibrating your position.
Semicircular Canals
The labyrinth passageways are semicircular canals lined with delicate hair-like cells and filled with fluid called endolymph. When you turn or tilt your head, the fluid sloshes around the tubes. As the endolymph flows, the hair-like cells lining the walls of the tubes ripple, like plants on the sea floor when a wave passes over them. The hair cells transform these ripples into sensory information, which they then transmit to your brain. There are three semicircular tubes: one to detect up and down head movements (like nodding “yes”), one to detect left to right (like shaking your head “no”) and one to detect side-to-side (like tilting your head toward either shoulder).
Otolith Organs
The otolith organs detect changes in speed of movement in relation to gravity, such as falling, riding an elevator or accelerating or braking in a car, focusing more on whole body movement rather than just the orientation of the head. There are two otolith organs. They are located at the base of the semicircular canals, and they too contain sensory hair cells. These cells are embedded in a gel-like membrane that has small crystals (otoliths) in it. Just like hair cells in the semicircular canals, they react and ripple as our body moves and use those ripples to send movement information to the brain.
Dizziness
Dizziness is a common symptom that occurs when the vestibular system is damaged or not functioning properly. If the labyrinth organs are damaged by a head injury or some other underlying health issue, the hair cells in the semicircular canals or the otolith organs may send false or incomplete information to the brain, which gets misinterpreted as dizziness, spinning or movement when you’re standing still.
The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Balance
Since the ear is such a central component of our hearing and balance systems, hearing and balance are intimately connected. Hearing loss can make it harder for the ear to find equilibrium, causing you to feel unstable on your feet. Additionally, if something has damaged the ear, it can affect both hearing and balance simultaneously.
Our audiologists at Southwestern Hearing & Balance are well-informed on the complexities of the inner ear and its role in both hearing and balance. If you’re having issues with either, call us today to make an appointment for a balance test or to find out more information.