Feeling unsteady or sensing that the room is spinning can be unsettling. While brief dizziness happens to many people, frequent or intense episodes can point to an issue involving the inner ear or the way the brain interprets signals about movement and position.
At Austin Ear, Sinus and Allergy, we evaluate balance changes to identify what may be causing your symptoms and outline treatment options based on your exam, hearing tests, and vestibular assessment.
Your sense of balance depends on several systems working together. Deep inside the inner ear, tiny motion sensors monitor head movement and send signals to the brain. These signals blend with information from your eyes and the nerves in your muscles and joints. When these systems are in sync, you stay steady without thinking about it.
If something disrupts this process—especially within the vestibular system in the inner ear—you may feel dizzy, lightheaded, or unsteady.
Balance issues may cause:
These symptoms vary widely, so a careful evaluation is needed to understand what is triggering them.
Many balance disorders begin in the inner ear or involve the pathways that link the ear and brain. Some of the more common causes include:
BPPV occurs when small calcium particles shift into a part of the inner ear where they do not belong. This can cause brief, intense vertigo when you roll over in bed, look up, or change position quickly.
This condition affects the inner ear and may cause episodes of vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and fullness in one ear. Symptoms often come and go and may vary in intensity.
These conditions involve inflammation of the inner ear or the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. They are often linked to viral illnesses and may cause sudden vertigo, balance trouble, and sometimes hearing changes.
A cholesteatoma is a skin cyst that grows behind the eardrum. It can cause vertigo, drainage, ear pressure, and hearing loss. Over time it may damage nearby structures, so evaluation and treatment are important. Surgery is the only way to remove the cyst.
Balance issues may also be related to:
Because these causes vary widely, testing helps determine the next steps.
Evaluation often includes:
These tools help determine whether the issue is related to the inner ear or another part of the balance system.
Your treatment plan depends on the cause of your symptoms. Options may include:
These movements help guide loose particles in the inner ear back into the correct area when BPPV is present. Our team can perform these maneuvers in the clinic and show you how to repeat them at home if needed.
This therapy uses specific exercises to improve coordination between the inner ear and brain. It may help reduce dizziness, motion sensitivity, and imbalance.
Certain conditions may improve with short-term medication, especially when inflammation, nausea, or severe vertigo is present.
Some balance problems improve when dehydration is addressed, medications are adjusted, or triggers such as stress or migraine activity are managed.
Surgery may be recommended for conditions such as cholesteatoma, acoustic neuroma, or structural problems affecting the ear. If this is part of your care plan, we will review the procedure, expectations, and recovery details.
You should schedule a visit if you experience:
These signs may point to a condition that needs timely attention.
Many people find relief once the cause of their symptoms is identified. With the right combination of treatment—ranging from repositioning maneuvers to therapy or medical care—many individuals report improved confidence in their stability and daily routines with appropriate care and treatment planning.
Feeling dizzy or off-balance can be overwhelming, but you do not have to sort through it on your own. Our team at Austin Ear, Sinus and Allergy can help determine what is causing your symptoms and guide you through treatment options that fit your needs.
Schedule an evaluation today to learn what may be affecting your balance and how we can help you feel more steady and comfortable.
Individual results may vary.
The effectiveness of treatments can differ based on individual circumstances.