The Role of Ears in the Balance System

Have you ever experienced vertigo, dizziness, or a sudden feeling that you need to sit down rather than stand? Although these might seem like rare occurrences, it is remarkable that the body does not experience this kind of disequilibrium more often. With so much sensory input coming in contact with the brain, the process of maintaining balance is quite a remarkable function of the brain. How exactly does the mind maintain a sense of balance in the face of such a sensory assault at all times?

At least three major sensory systems are responsible for informing the brain about the body’s orientation in space. First, the skin, joints, and muscles sense the environment and send information to the brain about the body’s location. Second, the eyes scan the horizon quickly to gather information about the body’s relation to objects and surfaces in space. Finally, the ears use the vestibular system to detect the level of the head and body along the surface of the earth. Let’s take a look at each in turn with special attention to the ears.

Skin, Joints, and Muscles

The last time you stumbled or tripped on a crack in the road, what exactly happened? Although the operation of keeping yourself aright might have occurred without conscious thought, the brain and the skin, joints, and muscles work together in a feedback loop to be able to keep the body from falling when something sets it off balance. When the foot strikes a crack in the sidewalk, the skin, joints, and muscles send information quickly to the brain that something is not right. They care able to sense impediments to mobility, disequilibrium in terms of gravity, as well as the ways that other body parts must take up the slack to keep from falling, in this case the other foot, leg, and hip. When the brain receives this information from the skin, joints, and muscles of the leg that strikes a crack in the sidewalk, it must quickly respond with instructions for the other leg to maintain balance. All of this happens in an instant, quite a remarkable achievement if you are able to avoid a fall!

The Eyes

Another sensory organ that helps maintain balance are the eyes. By scanning the horizon as well as other features of natural and created architecture, the eyes are able to get a sense of the body’s location in space. With knowledge of the relation of the body to objects, the brain is able to predict how certain features will affect the body’s ability to balance. Take, for instance, the simple operation of sitting in a chair. When your eyes look at a chair, they make quick judgments about its height and stability. When the body moves to sit down, it can be thrown off balance if the chair turns out to be lower than expected, like a very soft couch that sinks in, or if it is less stable that they eyes had surmised!

The Vestibular System of the Ears

In addition to these other sense organs that supply the brain with information about balance, the ears also contain a crucial system to alert the brain to changes in pressure and location: the vestibular system. This network of fluid, chambers, and tiny hair-like cells is located in the inner ear alongside the cochlea that enable hearing. The vestibular system uses the balance of fluid to tell the brain about the location of the body, particularly the head, in space. With this information, the brain is able to understand why the senses are jumbled when you nod or shake your head quickly. If you place your head below the center of gravity in the body, the vestibular system is able to let the brain know what to expect from other body parts, as well. With these remarkable functions of the inner ear, it is particularly important to protect them from harm. Always clean the ears with utmost caution, being sure not to force any object, including a cotton swab, into the sensitive inner chamber of the ear. With the vestibular system located so precariously near wax and other debris that may enter the ear, your ability to properly and safely clean the ears may be able to protect from losing your balance, as well.

 Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services

If you’ve experienced changes in your hearing ability or have struggled with balance issues due to hearing, contact our team at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services today. Our team is here to help you get back on track!