What are ear crystals?
Despite what the name suggests, ear crystals aren’t just a fancy pair of earrings. They are actually an integral part of how our body maintains balance and equilibrium.
Ear crystals — or otoconia in scientific terms — are very small clusters of cells composed of calcium carbonate that live in the body’s vestibular system in the inner ear. Their main function is to signal movement and position to the brain through small, hair-like structures in the inner ear, helping us to maintain proper balance.
Though ear crystals are minuscule in size (somewhere between 1 and 30 micrometers big), they can have a huge impact on our bodies when they become dislodged, and with approximately a thousand individual crystals in each of our ears, the potential for a dislodged ear crystal is fairly high.
What causes ear crystals to dislodge?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take a significant amount of movement or an intense blow to the head to dislodge an ear crystal. Even normal, everyday motions of the head are enough to toss an ear crystal where it shouldn’t be. And, they sometimes just fall out of place and dissolve within the inner ear on their own.
When a dislodged crystal becomes a problem, though, is when it travels to another part of the inner ear, like the semicircular canals, or when it doesn’t dissolve as it should.
A number of things can cause ear crystals to remain intact after falling out of place, including a vitamin D deficiency, taking certain ototoxic medications, an ear infection, head trauma, or even normal aging. In fact, approximately 50% of all people will experience the symptoms of a rogue ear crystal by age 70.
How big are the crystals in our ears?
Despite what the phrase “ear crystals” might conjure up in your mind’s eye, these crystals are much smaller and less impressive looking than you may think. In fact, our otoconia are quite miniscule.
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Otoconia range in size from 1 to 30 micrometers in humans,” and to put the term micrometer into perspective, a single micrometer measures at 0.000039 inch, and each one of our ears holds about ONE THOUSAND crystals on average, so that’s pretty darn small!
Can ear crystals cause vertigo?
Sometimes our ear crystals can make us feel incredibly dizzy. Why? This is due to their movement away from their standard place in the otolith organs and towards our inner ears’ semicircular canals.
This uncomfortable sensation is a type of vertigo called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV.
It’s amazing how such an incredibly small material can make a small movement and have such an incredible impact on how we feel and our perception of the world around us.
What are common symptoms of BPPV?
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo is incredibly disruptive, if not entirely debilitating for those who experience it. The most common symptoms our patients communicate to us include:
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Unsteadiness/lack of sure footedness
- Nausea
- The perception of the world spinning around you
How do you tell if your ear crystals are off?
Because of their small size, you may not notice every time an ear crystal becomes dislodged, especially if it remains in the otolith organs where it can be reabsorbed or dissolve, but it’s usually pretty easy to tell when an ear crystal isn’t where it should be.
When an ear crystal moves to the semicircular canals, you might feel intense dizziness, or a specific type of vertigo called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). More specifically, you may experience:
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Unsteadiness
- Nausea
- The perception that the world is spinning around you
These symptoms are not unique to BPPV, though, so it’s important to get proper testing with a hearing care specialist (like the team at Colorado Ear Care) to identify the cause of your dizziness and ensure that you are set on the right path to treating it. Vertigo can also be caused by certain medical conditions, like MS and diabetes, or by prescription medication, panic attacks, and Meniere’s Disease.
Another key characteristic of BPPV is that the episodes of dizziness or spinning usually only last for a few seconds or minutes and are triggered by specific movements of the head, like sitting up after laying down or holding the head at an abnormal angle. Nonetheless, they can absolutely be disruptive enough to impact everyday activities, and it is possible (though rare) that episodes of BPPV can last for longer.
In some cases, ear crystals will dissolve on their own without requiring intervention, but it can take weeks for that to happen — and weeks is a long time to deal with the occasional bout of dizziness. So, when BPPV is diagnosed, professional intervention is often required.
How are ear crystals realigned?
If the symptoms of BPPV begin to make it hard to live a normal lifestyle, your audiologist or healthcare provider might recommend trying a treatment called canalith repositioning, which involves physically moving loose ear crystals back to the otolith organs where they can be dissolved or reabsorbed.
In order to do this, your provider will ease your head into four specific positions that, when performed together in sequence, can help move ear crystals out of the semicircular canals and back to where they belong. While it’s very effective at treating current cases of BPPV, canalith repositioning is not a preventative treatment, so it’s possible that your symptoms will return even after the procedure.
If you’re considering canalith repositioning, it’s important you work with a provider who is trained in this very specific maneuver, as it can make BPPV worse if performed incorrectly. Seek out an audiologist or hearing care expert who has experience and training in canalith repositioning, and never try to carry out canalith repositioning at home.
Can ear crystals move back to where they belong on their own?
Over time, ear crystals may dissolve, but bear in mind that this could take weeks or longer, and during that time, a person would have to endure the extreme discomfort of BPPV, where even the slightest head movements would throw their world into disarray.
Luckily, experts have created a technique, called the Epley Maneuver, which consists of carefully administered movements that are designed to move the out of place crystals back into the inner ear.
Note: The Epley Maneuver should only be performed by a professional. Doing this maneuver on one’s own is dangerous and can cause additional health issues.
Do ear crystals cause tinnitus?
Ear crystals themselves might not cause tinnitus, but the effects associated with BPPV have been found to trigger feelings of tinnitus in many patients, either before or in conjunction with their dizziness.
A 2013 study found that approximately 20% of those observed described experiencing tinnitus in the same ear that their vertigo originated from.
Unlike the most common forms of tinnitus, the tinnitus associated with BPPV in this study found that, after treatment via repositioning techniques, the tinnitus quickly went away.
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If you’re experiencing symptoms of BPPV, Colorado Ear Care can help!
Sudden onset dizziness can be a frightening and uncomfortable experience, and, while some dislodged ear crystals do dissolve or move back on their own, most cases of BPPV should be addressed by a professional to help you return to a normal, dizzy-free lifestyle.
If you live in the Denver or Boulder areas, Colorado Ear Care has the most comprehensive balance and dizziness services available in the state. Not only can we help diagnose vertigo, including BPPV, but we also have the technology and experience required to treat vestibular issues, too.
Can ear crystals cause headaches?
Yes. Well, sort of.
Much as is the case with the ear crystal movement causing feelings of nausea, dizziness, and loss of balance, one very common symptom associated with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are headaches.
Though headaches were frequently associated with BPPV in a 2014 study, particularly tension and migraine headaches, these headaches were determined to be an “independently associated phenomenon.
So, while headaches are common in people who are experiencing vertigo, they may not be because of BPPV, but will certainly add to the distressing nature of the overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you dissolve ear crystals naturally?
In some cases, dislodged ear crystals will dissolve or reabsorb on their own without any treatment. To support this process, make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D, as a deficiency is one of the known contributors to ear crystal problems. Staying hydrated and avoiding sudden or extreme head movements may also help. However, natural dissolution can take several weeks, and there’s no guarantee it will happen without intervention. If your symptoms are disruptive or worsening, it’s best to see a specialist rather than waiting it out.
How long does it take for ear crystals to dissolve on their own?
It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for dislodged ear crystals to dissolve or reabsorb naturally. Some people find their symptoms resolve within a week or two, while others experience recurring dizziness for much longer. If your symptoms haven’t improved after a couple of weeks, or if they’re severe enough to affect your daily life, professional treatment is recommended.
What are the symptoms of crystals in your ear?
The most common symptoms include sudden dizziness, a spinning sensation (vertigo), loss of balance, nausea, and general unsteadiness. These episodes are typically brief, lasting only a few seconds to a few minutes, and are often triggered by specific head movements like rolling over in bed, tilting your head back, or standing up quickly. If you’re experiencing these symptoms regularly, it’s worth getting evaluated by a hearing care specialist.
What is the Epley maneuver?
The Epley maneuver is the most widely used form of canalith repositioning, a procedure designed to move dislodged ear crystals out of the semicircular canals and back to where they can be safely dissolved. During the procedure, a trained provider guides your head through a series of four specific positions. It’s a non-invasive, drug-free treatment that is highly effective for most people with BPPV. It’s important that the Epley maneuver is performed by a qualified professional, as doing it incorrectly can make symptoms worse.
Can ear crystals come back after treatment?
Yes, they can. Canalith repositioning treats the current episode of BPPV but is not a preventative treatment, meaning ear crystals can become dislodged again in the future. Some people experience BPPV just once, while others have recurring episodes. Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels and addressing any underlying health conditions may help reduce the frequency of recurrence.
What causes ear crystals to fall out of place?
Ear crystals can become dislodged by something as simple as everyday head movements you don’t need a significant injury for it to happen. Known contributing factors include vitamin D deficiency, ear infections, head trauma, certain medications (known as ototoxic drugs), and the natural aging process. In many cases, there’s no single identifiable cause.
Is BPPV dangerous?
BPPV itself is not dangerous or life-threatening, but it can significantly impact your quality of life and increase the risk of falls, especially in older adults. The dizziness and balance disruption it causes can make everyday activities like driving, working, or exercising difficult and potentially unsafe. That’s why it’s important to get it properly diagnosed and treated rather than trying to push through the symptoms on your own.
Can I do the Epley maneuver at home?
While you may find videos and instructions online, we strongly advise against attempting canalith repositioning at home. The maneuver requires precise positioning that varies depending on which ear and which canal is affected. Performing it incorrectly can move crystals further into the wrong area, potentially worsening your symptoms. Always work with a trained audiologist or hearing care specialist who can assess your specific situation and perform the procedure safely.
How is BPPV diagnosed?
BPPV is typically diagnosed through a simple in-office test called the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, where a specialist carefully moves your head into specific positions while observing your eye movements for a characteristic involuntary motion called nystagmus. This test helps confirm whether BPPV is the cause of your dizziness and identifies which ear and canal is affected, which is essential for determining the correct treatment approach.
