Image: Gerard Slota
In Brief
- Disorders of the vestibular system of the inner ear can cause vertigo and shaky, blurred vision.
- Three semicircular structures in the inner ear are responsible for measuring head rotation.
- Prostheses that would replace the function of the semicircular canals and thus restore balance are under development.
Ask friends to list the body’s senses, and they will usually stop after five: taste, touch, sight, smell and hearing. Most do not even notice their sixth sense—the sensation of how one’s head is oriented and moving. But losing this capacity can cause dramatic, disabling vertigo, followed by chronic unsteadiness and blurred vision when the head is in motion. Fortunately, good progress is being made toward the development of bionic ear implants to restore balance in people who suffer from damage to the vestibular labyrinth of the inner ear—the part that provides us with our sixth sense.
The availability of these prostheses cannot come too soon for Richard Gannon, a 57-year-old retired steamfitter, who has homes in Pennsylvania and Florida. Gannon lost much of his sensation of balance seven years ago after suffering an apparent viral illness. “Let me be the first to get a vestibular implant,” he says. “I’ve been waiting for a call for five years. As soon as they can do it, I’ll walk to the hospital if I have to.”
This article was originally published with the title Regaining Balance with Bionic Ears.
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7 Comments
Add CommentHow close are scientists to having actual prosthetics available for clinical trials? Vertigo is another of my many health issues and would be unbelievable to be able to stand without falling over, literally, or catching myself with my foot under the kitchen cabinets. I would like to sign up as well, 2nd of course to the gentleman in the article.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis is amazing. I suffer from Labyrinthitis and as a 30 year old woman who thought there were many long years of traveling and seeing the world ahead of her, everything has come to a screeching hault. It is hard to get answers from doctors and they like to tell me that I'm "not that bad" although I walk into walls, see funny, can't move my head or eyes quickly, and feel like I have water sloshing around in my head at all times. I just finally got back on a bike after 2 years but have to have someone with me because I drift from side to side. I now suffer from anxiety and panic attacks because of everything being "off" and it has become a life of constant distraught. I cried reading this article, just knowing there may be hope for us in a world where no one understands because we don't "look" disabled. Keep up the research...there are so many of us suffering and want our lives back!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishaven't read the full article yet but i'm glad to see this happening...this has affected both family and friends...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthanks also for pointing out that balance really is a sense...
This sounds so promising. My sister was only 23 when she was diagnosed with vertigo. She had been to neurologists, ear, nose and throat specialists, chiropractors, physiotherapists and so on. They all pretty much told her that there was nothing they could do and she should get on with her life. Yeah, right. She is now 34 and is so debilitated by her condition that I wonder how much longer she will be able to hold a job. She can't drive, had to give up studying, and can't even use a computer for any more than 20 minutes at a time. It breaks my heart. It is no way to live and if there is a chance that one day she could receive some relief it will be such a wonderful thing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSeven years ago, after surgery for a ruptured appendix, I was given large doses of gentamicin to cure the infection and have been struggling and coping with vestibular dysfunction and serious loss of balance ever since. A cure, or partial regaining of my balance would be the best "miracle" I could have - a new lease on life. Where do I sign up for testing and help?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisjack@kidsbks.net
Where can I sign up for this implant? I have had the lack of balance problem for years..ever since i used strond antibiotics for lyme disease...i will volenteer to try one kindly contact me....garry rumbaugh ..... rumbaugh1@aol.com or call 410-259-6435...located in westminster maryland
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisJust found this article and am truly amazed by the prospect of an implant that could restore balance. I've been living with Meniere's disease and Recurrent Viral Neuritis since '07 and hope every day for a cure. Maybe this implant is what I've been dreaming of?? Would love to try it out! Wishing symptom-free days to all.
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