Why Loud Noises Make You Dizzy and What You Can Do About It
If you’ve ever felt dizzy from loud noises, you’re in the right place. Let's learn a bit about why this happens and what you can do to fix it.
The Rare Causes of Dizziness from Loud Noises
First, let’s look at some of the less common reasons you might feel dizzy from loud sounds:
Vestibular Fibrosis: This is when parts of your inner ear stick to the tiny stapes bones.
After inner ear surgery: Sometimes inner ear surgeries can accidentally compromise the barrier between the inner ear and middle ear
Vestibular Ectasis: This happens when the membranes in your inner ear collapse.
Congenital Ear Malformations: If you were born with ear abnormalities.
Inner Ear Infections: Infections can cause inflammation and pressure, leading to dizziness.
Autoimmune Inner Ear Disorders: These can change how the fluid in your inner ear functions.
Cholesteatoma: A skin growth in the middle ear that causes problems.
Acoustic Neuroma: A tumor on the vestibular nerve that disrupts signals.
The Common Culprits: SCD and Perilymphatic Fistula
Now, let’s talk about the more common causes:
Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SCD): This is when the bone above your inner ear thins out or has an opening, letting sound or pressure change the mechanics of your inner ear fluid.
Perilymphatic Fistula (PLF): This is a tear between your middle and inner ear, causing fluid to leak and changes in fluid mechanics.
Spotting the Symptoms
Both SCD and perilymphatic fistula can make you feel dizzy, but they have some tell-tale signs:
Shared Symptoms:
Hearing loss (sudden or gradual)
Dizziness and balance issues
Positional dizziness
Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
Feeling of fullness in the ear
Fluctuating hearing
SCD Specific Symptoms:
Autophony: Hearing your own voice or bodily sounds super loudly.
Pulsatile Tinnitus: Hearing your heartbeat in your ear.
Tullio Phenomenon: Feeling dizzy from loud sounds or pressure changes.
Figuring Out What’s Wrong
To figure out if you have SCD or a perilymphatic fistula, you’ll need some tests:
Symptom History: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms.
Hearing Tests: To check for specific patterns of hearing loss.
VEMP Testing: Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials tests to see how your ear responds to sounds.
CT Scans: High-resolution scans to look for bone thinning in the case of SCD.
What You Can Do About It
The treatment depends on what’s causing your dizziness:
Perilymphatic Fistula: Sometimes it heals on its own, but it might need surgery, especially if it was caused by trauma or another surgery.
SCD: This often needs surgery to patch up the thinning or opening bone, but sometimes is managed conservatively.
Time to Take Action
If loud noises make you dizzy, it’s time to see an ENT specialist who knows about vestibular disorders. They can run the right tests and help you get the treatment you need.
Share Your Story
Have you dealt with dizziness from loud noises? Found something that works? Share your story on my YouTube video to help others who are in the same boat!
Understanding and tackling the root causes of dizziness can really make a difference in your life. Don’t hesitate to seek help and find the right solution for you.
