Possible Symptoms of Vestibular Disorders

TH 5018 NE 15 AVE · PORTLAND, OR 97211 · FAX: (503) 229-8064 · (800) 837-8428 · [email protected] · VESTIBULAR.ORG

By The Vestibular Disorders Association, with contributions from Jeremy Hinton, DPT

The vestibular system includes the parts sensation (dizziness) of the inner ear and the brain that help . Sensation of being heavily weighted control balance and eye movements. If or pulled in one direction the system is damaged by disease, aging, or injury, vestibular disorders can result. BALANCE AND SPATIAL Symptoms may include vertigo, dizziness, ORIENTATION and imbalance, among others. . Imbalance, stumbling, difficulty

walking straight or when turning The type and severity of vestibular . Clumsiness or difficulty with disorder symptoms can vary coordination considerably, and be frightening and . Difficulty maintaining straight difficult to describe. People affected by posture; head may be tilted to the vestibular disorders may be perceived as side inattentive, lazy, overly anxious, or . Tendency to look downward to seeking attention. Functioning at work or confirm the location of the ground school, performing routine daily tasks, or . Tendency to touch or hold onto just getting out of bed in the morning something when standing, or to touch may be difficult. or hold the head while seated

. Sensitivity to changes in walking The following is a list of symptoms that surfaces or footwear have been reported by people with . Difficulty walking in the dark vestibular disorders. Not all symptoms will . Muscle and joint pain (due to difficulty be experienced by every person, and other balancing) symptoms are possible.

VISION VERTIGO AND DIZZINESS . Trouble focusing or tracking objects . Spinning or whirling sensation; a with the eyes; objects or words on a feeling the person or world moving page seem to jump, bounce, float, when it is not (vertigo) blur, or may appear doubled . Symptoms can be present while . Discomfort from busy visual sitting still, in specific positions, or environments such as traffic, crowds, with movement stores, and patterns . Lightheaded, floating, or rocking . Sensitivity to light, glare, and moving © Vestibular Disorders Association ◦ vestibular.org ◦ Page 1 of 2

or flickering lights; fluorescent lights . Anxiety, panic may be especially troublesome . Loss of self-reliance, self-confidence, . Tendency to focus on nearby objects; and self-esteem increased discomfort when focusing at . Depression a distance (Note: these are not necessarily a direct effect of a vestibular problem, but . Increased night blindness commonly found along with vestibular . Poor depth perception problems.)

HEARING OTHER . Hearing loss; distorted, muffled, or . Nausea or vomiting fluctuating hearing . Sensation of being “hungover” or . Tinnitus (ringing, roaring, buzzing, “seasick” whooshing, or other noises in the ear) . Motion sickness . Sensitivity to loud noises or . Feeling of fullness in the ears environments that may increase . Sensitivity to pressure or temperature symptoms of vertigo, dizziness, or changes and wind currents imbalance . Ear pain . Headaches COGNITIVE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL . Slurred speech . Difficulty concentrating and paying attention, easily distracted An inner ear disorder may be present . Forgetfulness and short-term memory even when there are no obvious or lapses severe symptoms. It is important to . Confusion, disorientation, and note that most of these individual difficulty comprehending directions or symptoms can also be caused by instructions other unrelated conditions and should . Difficulty understanding be discussed with a health conversations, especially when there professional. is background noise or movement . Mental and/or physical fatigue out of proportion to activity

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TH 5018 NE 15 AVE · PORTLAND, OR 97211 · FAX: (503) 229-8064 · (800) 837-8428 · [email protected] · VESTIBULAR.ORG

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