Tinnitus: Dizziness, Disorientation and Vertigo

Dizziness, disorientation or vertigo is possible with tinnitus, especially if the tinnitus is caused by crystal deposits in the otolith organs of the inner ear coupled with cochlear damage. A head injury could cause tinnitus and dizziness, disorientation or vertigo. It is not likely that the tinnitus is causing the dizziness, disorientation or vertigo. People with severe chronic tinnitus due to damage to the cochlea typically do not suffer from long-term dizziness.

If your auditory system damage was caused by sudden loud noise exposure then it is possible that you may experience short-term dizziness, disorientation, or vertigo immediately after the event. These symptoms should go away. If your tinnitus is caused by high blood pressure/hypertension then you may experience short-term dizziness, disorientation, or vertigo from time-to-time until your blood pressure drops a bit.

If your tinnitus was caused by a traumatic brain injury. such as a car accident, then you may experience tinnitus and dizziness for the rest of your life.

The best thing to do when you are struck with short-term spells of sudden dizziness, disorientation or vertigo is to stop what you are doing, use deep breathing to bring your heart rate back to normal. See a doctor if the dizziness, disorientation, or vertigo lasts beyond what you know to be normal for you.