Vestibular hypofunction
Reduced function of one or both vestibular organs
With vestibular hypofunction, one or both vestibular organs function less well. This can cause complaints such as instability while walking, blurred vision during head movements and uncertainty in busy environments.
Key points
- One or both vestibular organs function less well.
- Complaints can arise after inflammation of the vestibular organ or due to other conditions.
- Commonly mentioned complaints are instability while walking, blurred vision when moving the head and uncertainty in busy environments.
- The brain has to learn to cope with the reduced information from the vestibular system.
- Vestibular rehabilitation can help support this compensation process.
- A specialised assessment can help determine whether these complaints fit this pattern.
Symptoms
- Instability while walking.
- Blurred vision when moving the head.
- Uncertainty when moving in busy environments.
- Complaints that can fit with a vestibular system that functions less well.
Causes
- Vestibular hypofunction can arise after inflammation of the vestibular organ.
- Other conditions can also cause one or both vestibular organs to function less well.
- The exact cause should be carefully assessed based on the complaint pattern and examination.
Treatments
- Vestibular rehabilitation can help support the brain's compensation process.
- Treatment is tailored to the complaints, the functioning of the vestibular system and the personal situation.
- When further assessment seems necessary, consultation with a GP or specialist may be appropriate.
What does vestibular hypofunction mean?
With vestibular hypofunction, one or both vestibular organs function less well. As a result, the brain receives less reliable information from the vestibular system.
Complaints differ from person to person. The information on this page is general and does not replace a medical diagnosis. Have your complaints assessed if you are unsure or if symptoms persist.
Vestibular organ
Reduced function
One or both vestibular organs can function less well.
Complaints with movement
Walking and head movements
Instability while walking and blurred vision when moving the head can occur.
Compensation
Adaptation by the brain
The brain has to learn to cope with the reduced function of the vestibular system.
Instability, blurred vision and uncertainty with movement
People with vestibular hypofunction can experience complaints such as instability while walking, blurred vision when moving the head and uncertainty when moving in busy environments.
These complaints can affect daily activities, especially when walking, looking and moving place high demands on balance at the same time. A careful assessment can help determine whether the complaint pattern fits with reduced function of the vestibular system.
The brain learns to compensate
Because the vestibular system functions less well, the brain has to learn to cope with this.
Vestibular rehabilitation can help support this compensation process. The exercises and progression are tailored to the complaints and to what emerges during the assessment.
Would you like to have your complaints assessed?
A first assessment can help to better understand the complaint pattern and discuss which next step may be appropriate.