Implant improves Balance, Movement and Quality of Life to people with Inner Ear Disorder

[wobblybee]

Getting around without the need to concentrate on every step is something most of us can take for granted because our inner ears drive reflexes that make maintaining balance automatic. However, for about 1.8 million adults worldwide with bilateral vestibular hypofunction (BVH) — loss of the inner ears’ sense of balance — walking requires constant attention to avoid a fall. Now, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have shown that they can facilitate walking, relieve dizziness and improve quality of life in patients with BVH by surgically implanting a stimulator that electrically bypasses malfunctioning areas of the inner ear and partially restores the sensation of balance.

Copied from hopkinsmedicine.org

[Arlo20]

I would be up for that op if i knew for definate that it was cause for my inbalance i have cerebellum ataxia

[wobblybee in reply to Arlo20]

I have issues with my ears, as well as ataxia.. I wish something could be done

[Arlo20 in reply to wobblybee]

My problem is my balance fall all the time ,had loads of tests but they say my ears are ok i was in qclh for 31 days but they couldn't say for sure what the cause is i have low bp .

[penelope2]

How can you tell if balance, coordination and dizziness is caused by cerebellar ataxia or vestibular disorders.? I have been diagnosed with both. And think I have gluten ataxia which has not been formally diagnosed.

Gosh even I can't tell where one starts and the other problem ends!!!

[wobblybee in reply to penelope2]

🙂 Why don’t you ask your Neurologist to test for Gluten Ataxia..

I’ve had eye and balance problems for many years, I’ve had lots of testing re these, and MRIs show Cerebellar Atrophy. So, I accept there’s a connection between the two with symptoms, and it’s not unknown for conditions to ‘overlap’.

Testing for Gluten Ataxia was negative, but I still feel I may have Gluten Sensitivity, and I do know excess sugar and yeast (Candidiasis) cause me to feel unwell.