Do you also hear sounds inside your body? Let's learn about Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS)

Imagine that you can hear the sound of your eyes blinking, your breathing, or even your heart beating loudly in your ears. At the same time, when you suddenly cough, sneeze, or someone speaks loudly, your head spins and everything around you feels like it's spinning. Isn't this a very strange and scary experience? Many people, when they experience things like this, think that this is just me, that they don't know about any serious problems. But this is a very rare, but treatable condition. Today we are talking about this condition called Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS).

Simply put, what is SCDS?

This name may sound a bit complicated, but let's keep it simple. Inside our ears, there are very delicate and important parts that control our body's balance . We call these the vestibular system. Think of it this way: there are three small tubes filled with fluid in this system. These are what we call the semicircular canals. When we move our head up, down, or from side to side, the fluid inside these tubes moves in that direction. That message goes to our brain, and we can do all of this without falling over, standing up, walking, or running.

Now, one of these three tubes is called the superior semicircular canal . Normally, the bone around this tube should be quite thick and protected by the skull.

However, in someone with Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome (SCDS) , a small hole (dehiscence) may develop in this bone, or the bone may be too thin from birth. This is when all of the problems mentioned above begin. When the canal doesn't work properly, the balance messages going to the brain are disrupted. Also, normal sounds made inside the body (like breathing and the heartbeat) begin to be heard directly in the ear.

What are the symptoms that can be seen in this condition?

The symptoms of SCDS can vary from person to person. Some people may have just one or two of these, while others may have all of them. Let's take a look at the main symptoms that can be seen.

Things that trigger symptoms

Now you may be wondering, "Does this dizziness always happen?" Most of the time, it doesn't. Symptoms like vertigo and vision changes (oscillopsia) can suddenly appear when you do certain things that change the pressure in your brain or ears. For example:

• When coughing
• When you sneeze
• When lifting a weight
• When exercising
• When listening to a loud song or hearing a loud noise
• When you scratch your nose loudly

Why is this happening? What are the reasons?

To be honest, doctors don't know the exact cause of this, but they do have a few things they believe.

1. Congenital condition: In some people, this bone does not thicken properly during fetal development. This means that when they are born, this bone is very thin.

2. Head Trauma: A hard blow to the head can damage this thin bone and cause a hole.

3. Aging: A bone that is thin from birth becomes even thinner as you age, and over time, there is a risk of developing a hole.

4. Infections: There is a belief that some ear infections can also damage this bone.

Other problems that may arise due to this condition

As you continue to live with these symptoms, other problems can sometimes arise. It is very important to be aware of these as well.

• Brain Fog: A feeling of being unable to think clearly, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.
• Headaches: Headaches may occur frequently.
• Mental problems: Imagine, you are afraid to go out with friends or attend a party because you feel dizzy when you hear a noise. When you are socially isolated like this, there is a high chance of developing mental conditions like anxiety and depression .

This is why it's so important to see a doctor if you have these symptoms and not ignore them. You don't have to stop enjoying life just because you have SCDS.

How does a doctor detect this?

When you tell your doctor about these symptoms, he will often refer you to a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in the ears, nerves, and brain. After he has listened to you carefully about your symptoms, he may run some tests to confirm the condition.

How is it treated?

The good news is that there is a treatment for this. The treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. If your symptoms are not too severe, they can be managed with lifestyle changes and balance exercises. However, if your symptoms are very severe, surgery may be necessary.

Managing symptoms

By making small changes in your daily life, you can greatly reduce the occurrence of symptoms.

• Avoid noisy places: Whenever possible, avoid going to places with loud noises (music concerts, construction sites). If you must go, use earplugs .
• Control your voice: If you hear your own voice too loudly, try speaking a little more slowly, almost in a whisper.
• Stop things that increase pressure: Avoid things like lifting weights and picking your nose loudly.
• Air travel: Air travel can cause symptoms due to changes in ear pressure. So talk to your doctor before traveling.
• Vestibular Physical Therapy: This is very important. A specially trained physical therapist will teach you specific exercises to improve your balance, reduce dizziness, and minimize falls.

Surgery

If the symptoms are very severe, if you are unable to perform daily activities, and if your quality of life has deteriorated significantly, your doctor may recommend surgery. There are two main types of surgery.

1. Plugging: This is the most common procedure. In this procedure, the surgeon goes through the scalp or behind the ear and completely closes the hole in the ear canal using a small piece of your own bone or connective tissue.

2. Resurfacing: This method involves strengthening the hole by covering it with a layer rather than completely covering it. This method is used less often.

Sometimes surgeons may use both methods together. After surgery, many people's symptoms disappear completely or are greatly reduced.

What to expect in the future with this situation?

Many people can live a normal life after learning how to manage their symptoms. But the most important thing to remember is that the hole in the bone will not heal on its own. Unlike other bones in our body, the skull bone cannot repair itself.

Even after surgery, some symptoms may improve quickly, while others (like headaches and brain fog) may take a while to improve. So, be open with your doctor about your options and what you can expect from surgery.

SCDS can be a difficult condition to diagnose, as the symptoms are similar to those of other common diseases. But don't give up hope. Once you've been diagnosed, you'll be relieved to know that there are many treatment options available.