What causes otolith dysfunction?

Brief Summary: Recent studies suggest that otolith dysfunction is a common finding in individuals with a history of head trauma/blast exposure and/or noise-induced hearing loss.

What stimulates Otoconial masses?

It is generally associated with natural age-related degeneration of the otolithic membrane. When the head is still, gravity causes the otoconia to clump and settle. When the head moves, the otoconia shift, which stimulates the cupula to send false signals to the brain, producing vertigo and triggering nystagmus.

What does the otoconia do?

Otoconia are bio-crystals which couple mechanic forces to the sensory hair cells in the utricle and saccule, a process essential for us to sense linear acceleration and gravity for the purpose of maintaining bodily balance. In fish, structurally similar bio-crystals called otoliths mediate both balance and hearing.

What is Utricular dysfunction?

Episodic utricular disorders might be accompanied by sensations of tilting or imbalance, but should not be accompanied by vertigo. Episodic saccule dysfunction, in theory, might manifest as a confusion of up and down, or the so-called “inversion illusion”. Structures in inner ear, showing utricle and saccule.

Do otoliths dissolve?

The results demonstrated that normal endolymph can dissolve otoconia very rapidly (in about 20 hours).

How do you treat an otolith?

Treatment for PC-BPPV includes manual reduction, drug treatment, psychological treatment, and surgical treatment. Repositioning is the preferred method for the treatment of PC-BPPV with high effective rate and low risk. The mechanism is through the different changes of head position to make the otolith back to utricle.

Where is the Tectorial membrane found?

inner ears
The tectorial membrane is an extracellular matrix that lies over the apical surface of the auditory epithelia in the inner ears of reptiles, birds, and mammals.

How do otoliths allow you to balance?

In vertebrates the utricular maculae in the inner ear contain an otolithic membrane and otoconia (particles of calcium carbonate) that bend hair cells in the direction of gravity. This response to gravitational pull helps animals maintain their sense of balance.

What do otoliths do?

Function: The otolith organs sense gravity and linear acceleration such as from due to initiation of movement in a straight line. Persons or animals without otolith organs or defective otoliths have poorer abilities to sense motion as well as orientation to gravity.