Labyrinthectomy surgical procedure

Posted , 4 users are following.

Has anyone had one done? My ENT says that if/when vertigo gets to be unmanageable for me, she would recommend a Labyrinthectomy. She said I would lose all hearing in my affected ear, however, vertigo would cease. I currently only have 18% hearing in my affected ear, and I am seriously considering the surgery. Currently I work out of my home, so when I have an episode it is not as critical, however, I may soon be taking a new job where I will be leading a large team in an office environment and I am worried that my vertigo could really affect my job. 

Anyone have any experience with this? Thank you. 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Greg,

    Hi. I had a Labyrinthectomy in 12/16. I had been having 2-3 severe vertigo episodes. After the surgery I was deaf in my right ear. However, the frequency and severity of the vertigo episodes only steadily declined. After about 3 months, I was episode free. Stayed that way for almost a year. But, now I am developing Ménière's in my other ear and the vertigo is starting up again. I would definitely recommend the surgery. Best of luck...

    Barry

    • Posted

      Thanks, Barry. Hope your other ear does not progress. Before you had the surgery how was the hearing in the ear with Meniere's?

  • Posted

    My friend had his balance nerve cut......he said it gave him his life back....they will only do it in cases where its the last resort at least here.  Make sure the surgeon has done many so ask for referrals.....when the balance nerve is cut it does not effect the hearing so I'm surprised the ent said that unless she is thinking of some other surgery....wiuth that being said the balance and hearing nerve run parallel......my friend is back to riding his motorcycle etc..... I have thought about it as well.......The bad news is once out of surgery your balance is bad and you need to go through rehab to regain it...he worked hard and was back to work in 6 weeks......he was walking to the bathroom holding onto the wall in two days......Thats all I can tell you but he is happy one other draw back if you get it in your good ear your stuck with it. your brain retrains you to balance with only one balance nerve,,,,,

  • Posted

    meant to say my friend has a vestibular nerve section where you don't mess with the cochlea.  ...the labynthectomy will destroy the hearing where the vestibular nerve section does not so id ask the ent about that.....

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