Noise-canceling headphones are a popular solution for blocking out unwanted background noise at home, at work, at the gym — even during your commute. But, for some people, these high-tech headphones come with an unpleasant side effect: dizziness.
Dizziness isn’t normal, and it can definitely be worrisome. Fortunately, the team at ENT Specialists is skilled in determining the cause of dizziness using state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques to get to the root of the problem.
Here, learn why noise-cancelling headphones can cause dizziness and what we can do to help.
Many people are surprised to learn that your hearing system is closely related — even intertwined — with your body’s built-in balance system, called your vestibular system.
Both hearing and balance functions use the structures in your inner ear, and both systems use those structures to share information with your brain. This information helps you identify sounds, and it also helps your brain understand your body’s position, an important part of maintaining balance.
Noise-canceling headphones work by generating sound waves that cancel out external noise. While this creates a more focused listening experience, it can also distort the sensation and perception of sound, “confusing” your vestibular system and causing dizziness and sometimes other symptoms, like nausea, ear pressure, or headaches.
Symptoms are sometimes worse when you move your head while wearing the headphones. Although these sensations are uncomfortable, they don’t harm your ears, and many people find their symptoms lessen the more they wear their headphones.
Experiencing occasional dizziness from noise-canceling headphones typically isn’t a cause for worry, as long as your symptoms resolve soon after you take the headphones off. However, if the symptoms happen frequently, last a long time, or get worse over time, it may be a sign of an underlying issue that needs to be medically evaluated.
Persistent, recurrent, or worsening dizziness could be related to a vestibular disorder, migraines, or a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) that causes dizziness and vertigo with specific movements or changes in head position. In rarer cases, it could indicate a nerve problem or an issue with your ear’s anatomy.
Sometimes, dizziness is related to an issue that has nothing to do with your ears. Low blood pressure, heart rhythm abnormalities, anemia, chronic dehydration, anxiety, and even some types of medication can cause dizziness symptoms, too.
Because so many factors can cause dizziness, you can’t really diagnose its cause on your own. You shouldn’t ignore dizziness, either. The best way to address dizziness with or without headphone use is to schedule an evaluation with our team.
During your visit, we’ll review your symptoms and your medical history, then evaluate your inner ear anatomy, your hearing, and your balance system. We may order additional testing or imaging studies depending on your symptoms and other factors.
The good news: Vestibular issues that cause dizziness and related symptoms are typically highly treatable. Our team will work with you to find a solution that works for your needs and your lifestyle.
To find out why you’re feeling dizzy, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at ENT Specialists in Salt Lake City, Murray, Draper, and Tooele, Utah, today.
