Why is it the ear that remains the balance in the body?

Answer 1

The ear is a sophisticated wondrous piece of engineering of our body. What's more, the pieces are very tiny and many of the functioning mechanisms are still unknown to us.

From the Mayo clinic, here are some ways they list as tests to determine how some testing may show what can be wrong:
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Hearing tests
Hearing test (audiogram)

Individuals who experience balance problems such as episodes of spinning, periods of light-headedness, trouble focusing the eyes on objects, double vision and/or poor balance or falls, should see their physician. Patients who exhibit these symptoms may be given one or more of the following vestibular and balance tests.
Hearing Tests

Hearing tests such as pure tone testing, air and bone conduction, and speech and immittance help physicians determine whether balance disorders and dizziness are caused by problems of the inner ear.
Posturography Tests
Posturography This test tells the physician which parts of the balance system (visual, vestibular or somatosensory) the patient relies on the most.
Electronystagmograph Tests

Electronystagmography (ENG) An ENG test analyzes eye movements to check how well the inner ear balance mechanism works.
Rotary-Chair Tests

Rotary-chair testing Patients sits in a computer-controlled chair that moves very slowly in a full circle.
Dix-Hallpike Tests

Dix-Hallpike tests are noninvasive positional procedures used to accurately determine if a person has benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials Test

Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) tests utilize electrodes to measure tiny changes in neck muscle contractions.
Other Tests

Other tests that may be ordered include: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scan, blood tests and cardiac function tests.

Answer 2

I suspect it's not actually a part of the hearing mechanism, it's just located in the ear. It's near the brain so the messages can get there quickly, so we can respond to correct our balance faster. It's a biological necessity more than anything, as the head is the first part to detect a balance problem. On the side is the best place to put the balance mechanism.

Answer 3

The vestibular system of the inner ear is responsible for the sensations of balance and motion. It uses the same kinds of fluids and detection cells (hair cells) as the cochlea uses, and sends information to the brain about the attitude, rotation, and linear motion of the head. The type of motion or attitude detected by a hair cell depends on its associated mechanical structures, such as the curved tube of a semicircular canal or the calcium carbonate crystals (otolith) of the saccule and utricle.

Also if you keep your head tilted for a period of time the liquid in your ear will level at there, and will tell your brain that you are straight when your not. This is a small tilt not a big one, and maninly happens when you fly aircraft.

Answer 4

The ear has two important roles:
Hearing (of course), but also balance and propriosense (position in respect to the environment).

The ear does this, because in the inner ear, there are three canals, which have sensory hairs in them. The three canals are set at right angles to each other, so that the nerves sense position in three dimensions; and the brain can interpret the impulses sent to it from the three canals.

Answer 5

If you believe that, try balancing yourself with no toes. Unless you have ears the size of Dumbo, the elephant, I can't imagine your ears balancing you. I know you can get dizzy if you have inner ear problems because the fluid behind the ears is not in balance. There is a difference.

Answer 6

The ears are set out in proportion to the central points of gravity. (where you have your feet) because when upright you are alert your ears constantly in a fixed position, which differs from the hips which can be moved. They are like a tug of war, the two sides hold the rope rigid when they are waiting to begin and balanced, but when one side is stronger than the other I.E. pulled to one side then the rope falls limp. It's the same with ears, without them both your body would fall lop sided. Hope that helped. :)

Answer 7

Have you ever seen a level? ....the water and bubble? Simply speaking, it's a little like that. Your brain gets signals from your ear that tell when you are or aren't upright.

Answer 8

ears are connected to our mouth through eustachian tube so pressure is being maintained and so is balance.

Answer 9

i dont know...but believe me it does.........i have been suffering from vertigo since august 31.....it was so bad for 2 wks i would even get dizzy laying down. so me & my son went to stay with my parents since i knew it wasnt safe for me to be alone with him if i did pass out......i actually did pass out once. i still have probs with it...but at least i am able to work & maintain a life........of couse i am on medication & this prob usually goes away

Answer 10

Wow I didnt know that but that really makes sense :)