Hallmark Speciality ENT Clinic · Kharadi, Pune
Vertigo, dizziness and tinnitus treatment in Kharadi, Pune
The inner ear controls both hearing and balance, so ear problems can cause spinning, unsteadiness or ringing in the ears. Many causes can be treated.
Vertigo and tinnitus explained
Vertigo is a false sense of spinning or movement. Common inner ear causes include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), in which tiny crystals in the balance organ move out of place and cause brief spinning with certain head movements; vestibular neuritis, an inflammation of the balance nerve; and Ménière’s disease, which causes attacks of vertigo with fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and ear fullness.
Tinnitus is hearing a sound, such as ringing, buzzing or hissing, that has no outside source. It is often linked to hearing loss, noise exposure, earwax or ear infections. Sometimes no single cause is found.
Common symptoms
- Spinning when turning over in bed, lying down or looking up
- Feeling unsteady or off-balance
- Nausea or vomiting with dizziness
- Ringing, buzzing or hissing in one or both ears
- A full feeling in the ear, or hearing that comes and goes
When to see an ENT specialist
See an ENT specialist for repeated vertigo, tinnitus in one ear only, or tinnitus with hearing loss. Sudden hearing loss should be seen urgently.
Seek emergency care if dizziness comes with weakness, numbness, slurred speech, double vision, a severe headache or difficulty walking, as these can be signs of a stroke.
How it is diagnosed at the clinic
Dr. Halikar will take a detailed history, examine the ears, and carry out balance and eye-movement tests, including positional tests for BPPV. A hearing test helps assess the inner ear. Scans or other investigations are arranged when needed.
Treatment options
- BPPV can often be treated with particle repositioning manoeuvres, gentle head movements that guide the crystals back into place
- Vestibular rehabilitation exercises help the brain adapt after inner ear problems
- Ménière’s disease may be managed with lifestyle measures and medicines, and in some cases with medication given through the eardrum (intratympanic treatment)
- Sudden hearing loss may be treated with steroids, by mouth or through the eardrum, ideally started early
- For tinnitus: treating any underlying cause, hearing aids where there is hearing loss, and counselling or sound therapy to reduce its impact
What recovery generally looks like
Many people with BPPV feel better after one or a few repositioning sessions, although it can return. Recovery from other causes of vertigo is often gradual over weeks, helped by staying active and doing the prescribed exercises.
Tinnitus often becomes less intrusive over time with the right support.
Frequently asked questions
Is vertigo always caused by the ear?
No. Inner ear problems are a common cause, but dizziness can also come from blood pressure changes, migraine, medicines or brain conditions. An assessment helps find the cause.
Can tinnitus be cured?
It depends on the cause. When tinnitus is due to earwax, infection or a treatable ear condition, treating that can help. Even when it cannot be removed completely, tinnitus can often be made much less bothersome.
What should I do if I suddenly lose hearing in one ear?
Treat it as urgent and see an ENT specialist as soon as possible, ideally within a day or two. Early treatment may improve the chance of recovery.
Dr. Halikar’s relevant experience
Dr. Sudhir Halikar is a Consultant ENT, Head & Neck Surgeon with 33+ years of experience. He trained at Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital and Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, is a former Associate Professor at IMSR Medical College, and performs surgery at Noble Hospital.
- Special interest in otology and otoneurology (ear and balance disorders)
- Intratympanic steroid treatment for sudden hearing loss, and intratympanic gentamicin for Ménière’s disease
- Has presented on particle repositioning for BPPV and on intratympanic methylprednisolone for sudden hearing loss at ENT conferences
- Member of the Indian Society of Otology
Related treatments
This information is general and not a substitute for a consultation.