What Does a Neuro-Otologist Do?

A neuro-otologist diagnoses and treats:

• Disorders of the inner ear (cochlea and vestibular system)
• Auditory nerve (cranial nerve VIII)
• Related brainstem or cerebellar pathways
• Facial nerve disorders (cranial nerve VII)

📋 Common Conditions Treated in Neuro-Otology

🔊 Hearing Disorders

• Sensorineural hearing loss
• Sudden hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Auditory neuropathy

🤢 Balance Disorders (Vestibular Disorders)

• Vertigo
• Meniere’s disease
• Vestibular neuritis
• Labyrinthitis
• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• Mal de Débarquement Syndrome

🧠 Neurological-Ear Disorders

• Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma)
• Facial nerve paralysis (e.g., Bell’s palsy, tumors)
• Skull base tumors
• Perilymph fistula
• Superior canal dehiscence

🧪 Diagnostic Tests in Neuro-Otology

• Audiometry (hearing test)
• Vestibular testing (VNG, ENG, VEMP)
• Electrocochleography
• Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER/ABR)
• MRI and CT scans (for tumors or structural issues)
• Balance platform testing (posturography)

🏥 Treatments Offered

• Medical treatment (steroids, diuretics, vestibular suppressants)
• Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) for balance issues
• Hearing aids or cochlear implants
• Surgery for:
  • Tumor removal (e.g., acoustic neuroma)
  • Cochlear or brainstem implants
  • Inner ear conditions (e.g., endolymphatic sac decompression)
• Botox or nerve repair for facial nerve disorders

🤝 Multidisciplinary Nature

Neuro-otology often requires collaboration with:

• Audiologists
• Neurologists
• Neurosurgeons
• Physical therapists (for vestibular rehab)
• Radiologists

🧑‍⚕️ When to See a Neuro-Otologist

You may be referred to a neuro-otologist if you experience:

• Persistent or unexplained hearing loss
• Chronic or sudden vertigo/dizziness
• Tinnitus with neurological symptoms
• Imbalance or unsteadiness
• Facial numbness or paralysis
• Suspected inner ear or skull base tumors