Washington University researchers are looking at some new clues in deciphering the mystery behind Meniere’s Disease, a disease that strikes in the inner ear, causing people to experience hearing loss and sudden attacks of vertigo.

“This is an overview of the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The inner ear is no bigger than the tip of your little finger. It looks big, but its very small,” explains Lee Memorial Health System physical therapist Nathalie Grondin.

That tiny inner ear has a huge job: to keep you balanced and your hearing in check. Its believed that fluid build-up in the inner ear is what causes Meniere’s Disease. “Often times we have balance problems and hearing problems together, because they are so closely related, both physically and their shape, their location and their nerves make that area work,” says Grondin.

Researchers are also zeroing in on whether viral infections can cause this fluid build-up and why the disease often strikes in adults over 40. “As we get older for several reasons, neck problems, or just we know instinctively that moving our head makes us lose balance or make us feel dizzy, the worse thing we can do is stop moving the head. The natural thing to do is stop moving the head because it’s not a pleasant experience,” adds Grondin.

She says simple, daily head exercises can help in the prevention process.

If you do experience sudden hearing loss and episodes of vertigo, a doctor can help you decipher the problem and get you help quickly.