The Inner Ear: Understanding the Balance System

Balance is a group effort of the eyes, inner ear, joints, and muscles. They each send signals to the brain about body position and head movement. The brain uses this information to balance the body. When an inner ear problem exists, the brain may receive conflicting signals. This can cause symptoms such as vertigo (spinning).

The Inner Ear Sends Signals

Inside the inner ear are three semicircular canals. Each canal contains tiny hairs, crystals, and fluid. These structures help the canals sense up-and-down, forward and backward, and side-to-side motion. Nerves carry the signals from the canals to the brain.

The Brain Interprets Signals

Signals from throughout the body travel to the brain. Once the signals arrive, the brain decides what they mean. Sometimes signals conflict. Have you ever sat on a stopped train and watched a moving train go by? When that happens, your eyes signal that you're moving. But your inner ear and body signal that you're still. The brain weighs conflicting data such as this and decides what is true. The result is balance.