This information is intended as a general introduction to vestibular disorders. As each person is affected differently by balance and dizziness problems, speak with your health care professional for individual advice.

“Vestibular disorder” is an umbrella term used for over 25 conditions. Vestibular (vess-TIB-youl-er) disorders affect the balance organs in the inner ear (vestibular system) and parts of the central nervous system (brain) that communicate back and forth to help maintain balance. Vestibular disorders happen when disease, injury or aging damage any part of this delicate and complex process.

Dizziness and imbalance are the most common symptoms of a vestibular disorder. The causes of these disorders are many and varied as is each patient's journey toward diagnosis and treatment.

Most dizziness and imbalance is related to other conditions rather than the vestibular system. Some of these other conditions result in imbalance without dizziness. And people commonly have more than one condition at the same time.

Vestibular disorders include:

Acoustic neuroma
The main symptoms are hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) as well as dizziness and balance problems.

Age-related dizziness and imbalance
This is one of the most common problems of older people. It has many causes that often overlap.

Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED)
AIED happens when the immune system attacks the inner ear. It often causes sensorineural hearing loss as well as balance problems.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
The key symptom of this common condition is repeated, brief spells of vertigo (spinning sensation) brought on by a change in head position.

Bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP)
Damage to the balance parts of both inner ears is referred to as BVP. It causes imbalance, unsteady gait and "jumpy vision" with head movement.

CANVAS syndrome
Cerebellar ataxia with neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a rare neurological disorder that affects balance.

Cervicogenic dizziness
This condition is related to a neck problem. Common symptoms include episodes of dizziness, lightheadedness and unsteadiness.

Childhood dizziness and imbalance
Balance and dizziness disorders are quite common in children. Most problems are short-lived and easy to treat. Longer-lasting disorders are often accompanied by developmental delays.

Cholesteatoma
A rare, slow-growing benign mass in the middle ear. As it grows, a cholesteatoma can destroy parts of the inner ear needed for hearing and balance.

Concussion
All concussions are traumatic brain injuries. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea and difficulty concentrating.

Enlarged vestibular aqueduct
People with a larger-than-normal vestibular aqueduct often have sensorineural hearing loss as well as balance problems.

Labyrinthine infarction
This is a type of small stroke. Warning signs are sudden hearing loss, dizziness and/or loss of balance. It may signal an impending larger stroke.

Labyrinthitis
The symptoms of this inner ear inflammation include severe vertigo (spinning sensation), usually with nausea, vomiting and some hearing loss.

Mal de débarquement syndrome (MdDS)
MdDs is usually triggered by a long trip at sea. The main symptoms are constant feelings of movement lasting for weeks, months or even years.

Ménière's disease
The hallmark symptom of this chronic, progressive disorder is sudden attacks of vertigo (spinning sensation), usually lasting several hours.

Migraine and Dizziness
Dizziness is a symptom of two types of migraine. Lifestyle changes and medication may help prevent or lessen their occurrence.

Motion and cyber sickness
Being in a moving vehicle can bring on nausea or discomfort. Viewing moving digital content on devices can result in similar symptoms. 

Otosclerosis
This is of the most common causes of conductive hearing loss in young adults. Otosclerosis may cause tinnitus, dizziness and balance problems.

Perilymph fistula
This rare and controversial condition can cause sudden or progressive hearing loss and episodes of vertigo.

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD)
PPPD is a common cause of long-lasting dizziness and feelings of unsteadiness. Anxiety often develops about things that trigger dizziness.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS)
RHS is a shingles outbreak affecting a facial nerve near one ear. This rare disorder usually affects older people. It sometimes causes vertigo.

Secondary endolymphatic hydrops (SEH)
SEH is associated with spells of vertigo (spinning sensation) and hearing loss that comes and goes.

Semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD)
SCD is a rare condition. It can cause both hearing and balance symptoms. People with SCD often hear sounds from inside their own bodies.

Vestibular neuritis
Vestibular neuritis causes a single sudden, severe attack of dizziness, usually with nausea and vomiting. Hearing loss is not a symptom.

Vestibular paroxysmia
Vestibular paroxysmia causes short, recurring attacks of vertigo (spinning sensation). This chronic disorder is uncommon.

Vestibular toxicity
Vestibular toxicity refers to temporary or permanent damage to the balance system from some drugs and chemicals. Fortunately, it is rare.

Visually induced dizziness
This is a common group of symptoms caused by a problem with the balance system. Visually induced dizziness is brought on by looking at complex patterns or movement.

More resources

The following can offer more help and support for affected individuals and their families.

Online

Note: Websites that deal with a specific disorder can be found on the page about that disorder.

Dizziness-and-Balance.com
Information about dizziness and balance problems caused by inner ear disorders, neurological disorders and other conditions. Maintained by Dr. Timothy C. Hain, Chicago Dizziness and Hearing.

Dizziness and Equilibrium
Clear explanations and diagrams to help in understanding vestibular and balance disorders, diagnostic tests, and vestibular rehabilitation. Includes a glossary of common vestibular terms. Part of the American Institute of Balance (AIB) website.

Medical News Today
Provides news from evidence-based, peer-reviewed studies, along with accurate, unbiased and informative content from governments, medical societies, royal colleges, professional associations, patients' groups, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies, among others.  Browse or search “Ear Nose and Throat” category for information about the inner ear and vestibular disorders.

Medline Plus
Consumer health information from the US National Library of Medicine. Includes current health news, general health information by disease or body system, a medical encyclopaedia and dictionary, anatomical diagrams and videos of surgical procedures.

Merck Manual
Explains disorders, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and prognosis in everyday language.

Merck Medical Myths: Vertigo
Dr. David Kaylie, an otologist with the Duke University Health System, talks about the differences between dizziness and vertigo, hearing loss and dizziness, treatments that can help, and the myths associated with vertigo in this 25-minute podcast. Available on Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts.

Vestibular Disorders Association
Commonly known as VEDA, the Vestibular Disorders Association's mandate is to help people find balance.