Reference no: EM132657784

Case Study, Chapter 20, Disorders of Hearing and Vestibular Function

Allan is 48 years old and works as a business executive. One day after returning from a lunch meeting, Allan felt as though his office was spinning around him. His left ear had a feeling of fullness, and he heard ringing in it. He was so dizzy that he reclined in his office chair and closed his eyes, not wanting to move his head for fear the spinning would start again. The following evening, a similar event happened at home. His wife was concerned about the vertigo he was experiencing and how irritated he was by the tinnitus. When the same event happened 1 month later, Allan said his hearing was affected when the attack was at its worst. His wife insisted it was time he took some time off work to see his family physician.

1. What inner ear disorder produces the triad of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss? What is the pathophysiology of this condition?

2. What are the sensory functions of the semicircular canals and the utricle and saccule?

3. Allan's symptoms included a feeling of fullness in his ear accompanied by hearing loss. How does endolymph contribute to the function of hearing? What is the role of the endolymphatic potential?