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Vestibular System

What is the Vestibular System?

The vestibular system is a three coiled chamber of sense organs located in the inner ears. The inner ear functions act like movement control centres that direct the body in balance and coordination via the central nervous system. For more detailed information on the anatomy and function of the vestibular system see:

 

https://www.britannica.com/science/human-nervous-system/The-vestibular-system

[Brain Highways, 2010]

Vestibular System Functions

The vestibular system functions: are in a continual process of detection and response between the brain and the body. The primary role of the vestibular system is to provide feedback signals for communicating the internal and external messages of the body in relation to the environment e.g the position of the head in space. These signals are sophisticated to detect and respond to touch, vision, hearing, motion, balance, gravity, direction and speed.

Organised Responses & Disorganised Responses

Organised responses: Are clearly transferred sensing processes delivering information signals interpreted from the environment.

  • Vestibular senses are in optimal functioning when the processes of the:

  • Eyes are relating with objects tracking e.g. as in reading or following a map

  • Ears are receiving the appropriate signals e.g. sound, pitch and tone

  • Hand and eye coordination is synchronised e.g. bouncing a ball

  • Muscles joints and tendons are toned, coordinated and balanced

  • Attention is automatic and emotional behaviour is regular or unexceptional

​

Disorganised responses: Are confused or blocked transferred sensing processes delivering information signals interpreted from the environment.

Inputs

Inputs are when sense receptors in the inner ears register movement that provide the brain with sensory information in relation to the environment e.g the position of the head in space. The brain processes the information then sends feedback signals in response. The signals are sophisticated to detect and respond to motion, balance, gravity, direction and speed.
 

See in more detail in the two minute video on the right:

[Neuroscientifically Challenged, 2016]

Signs of Dysfunction

When vestibular dysfunction occurs the processes can lead to changes in sensitivity:

 Hypersensitivity - Increase

Hyposensitivity - Decrease

Hypersensitivity to Input

  • Avoids or dislikes playground equipment

  • Fearful of feet leaving the ground 

  • Loses balance easily and may appear clumsy

  • Avoids rapid or rotating movements

  • Prefer sedentary tasks, moves cautiously

  • dislikes being tipped upside down, sideways or backwards

  • Scared of jumping, hopping or balancing on one foot (especially when their eyes are closed

  • Dislikes activities that require good balance

Hyposensitivity to Input

  • Cannot sit still

  • Enjoys and seeks fast and intense movement activities or experiences

  • Loves being spun around and does not appear dizzy

  • Considered a "thrill-seeker" and is dangerous at times

  • Constantly running, jumping, hopping etc. 

  • Always rocking on chairs, shaking their legs etc. 

  • Loves being tossed around 

  • Results of hypo and hypersensitivity are often conveyed through fear responses such as when changes to height, position or movement are detected.

  • These changes can create defensive behaviour in relation to the environment such as a fight, flight or freeze responses.

  • Fear responses in relation to body positioning are known as gravitational insecurity. The effects of gravitational insecurity can make cognitive processing and learning tasks difficult.

  • Due to these disturbances in the signals motor development may also be affected, and additionally may result in fine or gross motor delays.

  • Coordination difficulties are frequently the result of increased sensitivity distributed from the vestibular inputs.

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