How the Inner Ear Can Become Damaged

Side Effects of Medication Can Result in Vestibular Problems

Medication can sometimes cause vestibular problems

The vestibular system, which includes the inner ear, is where the body handles balance and detects motion.  In rare occasions the inner ear can be adversely affected by certain medications.  In the case described in this CBC article, taking medication resulted in the destruction of a part of a patient’s vestibular system.   In addition to some antibiotics like gentamicin, referred to in this article, other medications that can be destructive to the inner ear (“ototoxic”) include certain cancer drugs, like cisplatin, and some quinine derivatives like mefloquine, used for malaria prevention.  Several other medications seem to be toxic to the hair cells in the hearing part of the inner ear, but not necessarily the vestibular/balance part.  Susceptibility can be increased in those who have problems with renal (kidney) function, which would normally help clear the medications from one’s system.

Damage to the Inner Ear Can Happen in a Multitude of Ways

Astronauts at space stations can suffer from vestibular problems

In addition to certain medications, there are many other ways that the inner ear can become damaged, like through inner ear infections, genetics, environmental chemicals, stroke or head trauma, to name just a few.

Another example of information from the inner ear being out of sync with information with the eyes is in the case of astronauts who spend extended periods of time at Space Stations. “Chris Hadfield acknowledged that life back on Earth, after five months of living on the International Space Station, came with dizziness and motion disturbances.” (CBC)

Damage can also be a result of certain professions like sound engineers and military personnel who are exposed to loud sounds, although this generally affects the hearing part of the inner ear as opposed to the balance part.  Contact sports players who sustain concussions can sustain damage to either part, like Sidney Crosby who developed chronic vertigo from having a series of vestibular concussions.

Why Are Vestibular Problems Not Taken Seriously, When So Many Canadians Suffer From Them?

The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders reports that approximately five per cent of Americans (roughly 15 million people) suffer from chronic vestibular problems. In Canada the number of people suffering from chronic vestibular damage is estimated to be around 1.5 million people.

According to an inner ear expert, dizziness and vertigo are two of the fastest growing health search terms on Google. David Pothier of Toronto’s University Health Network, in an inner ear specialist and researcher, indicates that “vestibular patients are often not taken seriously”. (CBC) The norm is that patients can spend up to two years in the health care system looking for the right care before they are properly diagnosed and receive the right care.  Having a clinical evaluation of dizziness to explore vestibular problems is one way to help ensure that vertigo is diagnosed properly.

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