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Superior Semi-circular Canal Dehiscence Syndrome

| Modified on Oct 22, 2022
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Superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome is a disorder of the ear which was first described in 1995. It is brought on by the thinning or abscence of the temporal bone of the inner ear.

Symptoms of SSCD

  • Balance difficulties
  • Tullio phenomenon: dizziness and involuntary, repetitive eye movements caused by loud noises or pressure
  • Oscillopsia – visual disturbances caused by loud noises or pressure to the ear. Objects appear to oscillate.
  • Tinnitus
  • Hearing loss
  • Autophony – notable awareness of one's body sounds (heartbeat, eye movements, creaking joints, etc.)

Possible Causes of SSCD

  • Congenital
  • Age related thinning of bone
  • Head injury
  • Surgical complication
  • Head pressure from coughing, sneezing, straining

Individuals who present with symptoms of SCDS should consult with an otolaryngologist. A surgical procedure or hearing aids may be indicated.

Sources:

1. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/otolaryngology/research/vestibular/recent_findings.html

2. https://www.asha.org

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Posted by Marsh57 (Denver) on 02/22/2018

HI Deirdre, Would you consider adding a section on SSCD (Superior Semi-circular Canal Dehiscence) aka Superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS)? It's a set of hearing and balance symptoms caused by a thinning or complete absence of the part of the temporal bone overlying the superior semicircular canal of the vestibular system. A few of the symptoms are dizziness, vertigo, hearing your heart beat and eyelids blink, blood surging in your neck. I've don't quite a bit of research over the past 17 months and am a candidate for the surgery. I had been having infrequent vertigo attacks for 20 years and wish I had found out sooner as I now have a predicted 80% success rate. It may have been better if I would have been aware of this since my ENTs didn't have the presence of mind to suggest a cat-scan or MRI. SSCD was only discovered in 1998 making it a relatively new disease. There are Youtube videos that explain it well and The Doctors TV show featured it on a segment. It can be quite debilitating and believe this information could help many of your followers. Thank You!

EC: Marsh,

Thank you for sharing this and helping to increase awareness of this issue!

Replied by Mike
(Brazil)
04/16/2021
★★★★★

If you look up lions Mane mushroom on amazon, there are a lot of people saying it cured their vertigo, and one person said that her hearing improved 85% from almost nothing.

Marsh
(Colorado)
03/16/2022

Thanks, I'll give it a try!

Replied by Marsh
(Colorado)
03/16/2022

After dealing with this issue for a long time, I acquiesced to surgery last week. 5days post op and it's brutal. Terrible vertigo, a constant wind tunnel in my ear, nausea, regurgitation, episodes of not being able to visually focus. The surgeon is recommending prednisone for the vertigo but steroids scare me. Many say it takes from 1 week to 6 months to recover. Unfortunately, my doc didn't mention the healing process. Trying to remain positive. Any recommendations on how to get the vestibular and brain back to normal with more natural products?

Marsh
(Colo)
03/16/2022

I met today with the Doc who performed the SSCD surgery. He said everything looks good and all the symptoms I'm experiencing are normal. He recommended 20mg prednisone 2x day to bring the swelling down. It seems to be working as I'm starting to hear (bizarre tones) in the ear that was operated on. Not being a pharma drug taker, I only took 1 today and hope it helps.

Is there a natural supplement that lessens swelling, and to support the body while taking prednisone?

Mama to Many
(TN)
03/17/2022

Dear Marsh,

I am glad you are experiencing some improvement!

I avoid prescriptions as much as I can but have needed them here or there. Prednisone in particular has been a life-saver for my kids when they have experienced out of control poison ivy reactions. And I am thankful they never had lingering complications or side effects from taking it.

Because prednisone is suppressing the immune system to do its job, I wait until the course of treatment is complete before trying to beef back up the immune system. (Otherwise, it seems you might hinder the work of the prednisone.) So, after the treatment, I would consider extra C, D, zinc, and probiotics. I also use activated charcoal after a course of medication, to help remove any of the drug that might be lingering.

Meanwhile, while you are healing, please let yourself get plenty of rest!

~Mama to Many~

Marsh
(Colorado)
03/24/2022

Thanks, Mama! I only took 1 prednisone and an anti-nausea drug for the first 2 days after being released. I actually bounced back quickly once out of the hospital. Surgery on Thursday, released on Sunday, and began long, slow walks (around 3,000 steps) on Tuesday. The nurses said there were 5 other SSCD patients and in comparison, I was in great shape.

A month prior to, I researched EC for supplements to bolster my body prior to surgery (those you mentioned plus Bs, selenium, milk thistle, molybdenum, arnica montana 30x pellets), and after surgery (added melatonin, chlorphyll, silica, guto kola, Chinese Skull Cap, NAC, taurine, arnica cream, and d-mannose to avoid bladder infection after catheter) to eliminate of anesthesia. I'm still taking but not every day (picking and choosing).

Double vision has lessened but I have discovered that computer, cell phone, or anything that makes the brain work increases vertigo and the ability to focus.

I would encourage anyone considering surgery to select WELL-QUALIFIED doctors from UCLA, John Hopkins or Mayo. The docs at these hospitals repair botched surgeries by those who don't have the knowledge or expertise. Having had my 2 week checkup this week, I realize the care and steps UCLA takes during the procedure. This is a serious surgery and they protect their patients beyond your wildest imagination.

Many, many thanks to EC and their readers for keeping us healthy!



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