Vestibular Conditions

Understanding Vestibular Conditions

Vestibular conditions affect the inner ear and can cause dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, and hearing disturbances. Three common chronic vestibular conditions include Vestibular Neuritis, Labyrinthitis, and Meniere’s Disease. Understanding these conditions can help you find the right treatment and relief.

Vestibular Neuritis

What is Vestibular Neuritis?

Vestibular Neuritis is an inner ear condition that causes inflammation of the vestibular nerve, leading to dizziness, nausea, and balance problems. Symptoms can vary but tend to be most intense at the onset and gradually improve over days or weeks. You may also experience a sensation of ear fullness and visual motion sensitivity.

Causes

The exact cause of Vestibular Neuritis isn’t always clear, but it can sometimes result from viral infections, blood clots, or autoimmune issues. The vestibular nerve transfers information from our inner ear regarding balance and movement to the brain. When this nerve is inflamed, information cannot be carried as effectively and symptoms occur. 
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Vestibular neuritis commonly affects adults between 30 and 60, with those aged 40 to 50 being most at risk. Studies show that up to 30% of cases are linked to a recent cold or viral infection.

Treatment Options

Certain medications for motion sickness, nausea, or dizziness may help manage some symptoms. Steroid-based medications prescribed by a doctor can also reduce inflammation and shorten the duration of symptoms. In most cases, vestibular neuritis will heal on its own. However, in some cases, some symptoms may linger even after the inflammation in the nerve has resolved.​​

Common Symptoms

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Balance problems
  • Visual motion sensitivity
  • Feeling of fullness in the ear​

How physiotherapy can help?

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) by one of our vestibular physiotherapists is highly effective for improving balance and reducing symptoms of dizziness. Your physiotherapist will assess your head and eye movements, balance, and coordination to design a personalized treatment plan. These can be used to improve symptoms during a neuritis episode as well as any lingering symptoms.

​Exercises may include:
  • Balance training to improve stability
  • Gaze stabilization to help control eye movements
  • Habituation exercises to help your brain adapt to movement and reduce dizziness

Labyrinthitis

What is Labyrinthitis?

Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the labyrinth, a structure found in the inner ear that controls both balance and hearing. This condition can cause vertigo (sensation of room spinning when still), hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Causes

​Labyrinthitis is usually caused by viral infections, like the flu or a cold. In rare cases, bacterial infections can also lead to this condition.

Treatment Options

Initial treatments focus on symptom relief with various medications. In some cases, symptoms can continue to persist. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) can help improve any lingering balance problems or continued dizziness.

Common Symptoms

  • Sudden vertigo
  • Hearing loss
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever
  • Ear pain

How physiotherapy can help?

For ongoing symptoms, VRT can help retrain the brain to compensate for any inner ear damage. Your physiotherapist may guide you through:
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  • Gaze stabilization exercises to help control and retrain eye movements
  • Balance retraining to reduce falls and improve stability
  • Motion adaptation exercises to help your brain adjust to movement

Meniere’s Disease

What is Meniere’s Disease?

Meniere’s Disease is a chronic condition of the inner ear that leads to recurring episodes of vertigo (sensation of room spinning when still), hearing changes, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. It typically affects only one ear.

Causes

The exact cause of Meniere’s Disease is unknown, but possible triggers include fluid buildup in the inner ear, viral infections, genetic factors, or autoimmune reactions.

Treatment Options

There is no cure for Meniere's Diseases, but treatment focuses on symptom management and reduction. Certain medications can help control or limit symptoms, while diuretics may reduce fluid buildup in the ear. Some lifestyle changes, such as a low-salt diet, can also help reduce episodes and symptoms.

Common Symptoms

  • Recurrent episodes of vertigo
  • Fluctuating hearing loss
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Ear fullnes

How physiotherapy can help?

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy can help to reduce persistent symptoms of Meniere’s Disease and help manage balance problems and reduce dizziness. Your physiotherapist may use techniques such as:
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  • Habituation exercises to help your brain adapt to persistent symptoms
  • Balance training to improve stability and reduce falls
  • Gaze stabilization to improve visual focus and reduce dizziness

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