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What Causes Vertigo Along With Hearing Loss?

Posted on Thu, 4 Dec 2014

Question: I have had the following condition since 9 years. In the beginning it was tolerable and I was able to live with this condition but since middle of this year (2014) the condition is worsening – I’ve had 2 dizziness and nausea spell at home which went away after sometime. But few backs I had a very acute VIRTIGO attack while driving.

Pressure tightness cramp build slowly up from inside the chest sometime abdomen then spread to my right side and move to lower jaw - I have face pressure forehead, behind nose and a sharp pressure from my forehead down to my top front teeth.

I can’t wear glasses anymore because the moment they touch my nose bridge the cramps/tightness/pressuer becomes acute in my forhead – right between mt eye area and then right side of face and moves around.

Total hearing loss in right ear with buzzing/hissing sound.

Cramps are gone when sleeping and slowly gain strength as I wake up and start doing chores.

Lately Dizziness occurs – with loss of balance.

Driving increases the dizziness/cramps/tightness.

Lately had an acute Vertigo attack while driving – luckily I was able to park and was taken to ER vomiting and nauseas – unable to walk. ER diagnosed it as Acute Vertigo Attack.

Since then (last 2-3 weeks) I am driving on side streets only carefully – few times I’ve had the dizziness feeling with loss of focus and heavy beating and fast heart beat (like panic attack) which goes away after I focus on sky or some distant object and driving with only peripheral vision.

I really need help – I am self-employed and need to drive to make a living.

I have never been on any medication - blood report is fine. no BP problems either.

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
vertigo & dizziness

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
What you have is recurrent attacks of vertigo with dizziness.
Posisbilieis are:
1.Ménière disease characterized by vertigo attacks, lasting 20 minutes to several hours, with concomitant hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness.
2.Attacks of vestibular migraine may last anywhere from minutes to days. 3.Vertebrobasilar TIAs affect older adults with vascular risk factors.
4. Vestibular paroxysmia is caused by vascular compression of the eighth cranial nerve. It manifests itself with brief attacks of vertigo that recur many times sometimes with concomitant cochlear symptoms.
5. Orthostatic hypotension causes brief episodes of dizziness lasting seconds to a few minutes after standing up and is relieved by sitting or lying down.
6.Panic attacks usually last minutes, occur in specific situations, and are accompanied by choking, palpitations, tremor, heat, and anxiety.
Less common causes of spontaneous recurrent vertigo and dizziness include perilymph fistula, superior canal dehiscence, autoimmune inner ear disease, otosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmia, and medication side effects.

You need a thorough medical examination to come to a definite conclusion. MRI imaging brain may be necessary and will not be out of place considering your age to exclude Vestibular cause and if any cerebellar lesion.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (15 hours later)

Thank you Dr. Biswas,

I am in US and will Share this opinion with my primary Doctor.

Will update you with tests etc. as they are conducted.

Answered by Dr. Tushar Kanti Biswas (30 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Vertigo & dizziness

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for the update.

Please let me know examinations findings, if possible and the investigation report for follow-up.

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D