Definition: The ear does more than help us hear -- it also helps us keep our balance. The part of the ear that has a key role in this is called the labyrinth. It's located inside the inner ear, and is part of our "vestibular system," which controls balance and movement sensations.
People with a balance disorder may may experience vertigo (the feeling that the room is spinning), dizziness, lightheadedness, a feeling like they are going to fall, and confusion. Some causes of hearing loss, such as Meniere's disease, involve balance disorders in addition to hearing problems.
Source:
Balance Disorders. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/balance/balance_disorders.html. Accessed June 2011.
