Bilateral vestibulopathy

Bilateral Vestibulopathy results as the culmination of damage done to both inner ears. Bilateral Vestibulopathy causes problems in vision, hearing and motor coordination.

Symptoms

Symptoms typically include imbalance and visual problems. Dark or unsure situations generally increase this imbalance.The imbalance is worse in the dark or in situations where footing is uncertain. Spinning vertigo is unusual. Oscillopsia, visual symptoms of Bilateral Vestibulopathy only occur when the head is moving.[1] For instance, when driving, a person with Bilateral Vestibulopathy may see very blurry objects. Oscillopsia is often common during walking.[2] Transient visual blurring occurs with quick movements of the head.

Diagnosis

Your physician will make on your history, physical examination or vestibular tests in a rotary chair. There are several different causes of Bilateral Vestibulopathy, including Gentamicin toxicity, but the rotary chair test will determine the effects on both ears. Tests for syphilis, an antibody test for autoimmune inner ear disease or audiograms may be important in determining if you have bilateral vestibulopathy.

Treatment

Treatment differs depending on the cause. Each cause has a different treatment, and may involve either medical treatment, surgery, or therapy. If serious damage has already been done, then the focus of treatment is upon avoidance of vestibular suppressants and ototoxins. It is recommended that you tell your physicians to avoid drugs that end in mycin ( Azithromycin, Erythromycin ) because of possible reactions which could lead to setbacks. Vestibular rehabilitation is important. Your physician will try to keep the administering of drugs to a minimum.[3]

References

  1. ↑ J.C. Living without a balancing mechanism. New England Journal of Medicine 246:458-, 1952
  2. ↑ Freyss G, Vitte E, Semont A, Tran-Ba-Huy P, Gaillard P. Computation of eye-head movements in oscllopsic patients: modifications: modifications induced by re-education. Adv ORL 42:294-300, 1988
  3. ↑ Bilateral Vestibulopathy at the American Hearing Research Foundation Chicago, Illinois 2008.
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