The cochlea, the hearing organ, is located inside the inner ear. The snail-like cochlea is made up of three fluid-filled chambers that spiral around a bony core, which contains a central channel called the cochlear duct.

The spiral-shaped cochlea is part of the inner ear; it transforms sound into nerve impulses that travel to the brain. The fluid-filled semicircular canals (labyrinth) attach to the cochlea and nerves in the inner ear. They send information on balance and head position to the brain.

The cochlear nerve, also known as the acoustic nerve, is the sensory nerve that transfers auditory information from the cochlea (auditory area of the inner ear) to the brain.

Tympanic cavity – located medially to the tympanic membrane. It contains three small bones known as the auditory ossicles: the malleus, incus and stapes. They transmit sound vibrations through the middle ear. Epitympanic recess – a space superior to the tympanic cavity, which lies next to the mastoid air cells.

vestibular system

Noise-induced hearing loss It is caused when the hair-like hearing cells in your cochlea are damaged. This damage means less (or distorted) sound input is sent to your brain. Because it’s only in your cochlea, this damage usually doesn’t affect your balance.

Earwax. Everyone has earwax, but some people have more than others. If it builds up, it can block the ear and cause hearing problems as well as balance issues.

Semont Maneuver

1. Sit on the edge of your bed. Turn your head 45 degrees to the right.
2. Quickly lie down on your left side. Stay there for 30 seconds.
3. Quickly move to lie down on the opposite end of your bed.
4. Return slowly to sitting and wait a few minutes.
5. Reverse these moves for the right ear.

Your treatment may include:

1. Balance retraining exercises (vestibular rehabilitation). Therapists trained in balance problems design a customized program of balance retraining and exercises.
2. Positioning procedures.
3. Diet and lifestyle changes.
4. Medications.
5. Surgery.

The most common symptoms of labyrinthitis are:

• dizziness or feeling that everything around you is spinning (vertigo)
• feeling unsteady and off balance – you might find it difficult to stay upright or walk in a straight line.
• feeling or being sick.
• hearing loss.
• ringing in your ears (tinnitus)

You’re rolling over to your right in bed, when suddenly the room starts rolling over, too. For a couple of days, the world spins each time you turn to the right — until the sensation fades away on its own.

BPPV does often go away on its own over time. But in many cases it does come back. If you are still having symptoms from BPPV, your healthcare provider may tell you how to prevent symptoms.