Is it silly to wonder if my lovely new AirPods have given me vertigo?!

[YoureBreakingMyHeartCecilia]

Have never used them before and in fact have NEVER used any in-ear devices before.

I’ve used them now about 5 times in the week since I got them for Xmas, for half an hour each time. I’ve kept the volume very sensible obv.

Last night (NOT while using the pods, about 4 hours after I last used them) I had the most terrifying experience of what I can only describe as vertigo. I leaned forward to get something from a bag and almost fell over, I sat down right away and after this the room span and span for a good five minutes. When I got up again I was unsteady every time I moved.

Really hoping it’s gone when I get out of bed this morning, it was so unpleasant.

The only thing I can POSSIBLY think of (have never experienced anything like this before in my life) is that it’s linked to the pods?? It sounds nuts because I wasn’t wearing them at the time. And have worn them so little. But then I am really not used to in-ear devices so maybe it is caused by this?

Anyone else experienced this?

I stopped using AirPods as they made me feel dizzy and spacey
Think it’s when they’re in background silent mode - something to do with the inner ear?

However as you weren’t wearing them at the time I think it may be unrelated (what you describe) - do you feel ok now?

Thanks rubyslippers, I haven’t dared stand up yet because last night was so unpleasant! Yes it’s the fact I wasn’t wearing them at the time that’s giving me pause. It just seems such a coincidence that my first ever attack of anything remotely balance related has happened a week after my first ever earbuds (which I love and don’t want to stop using!!)

Have you had covid or the vaccine lately? I got dizziness that sounds very similar to yours afterwards. It was eventually diagnosed as BPPV with general inner ear inflammation. It settled after a few weeks. I also use AirPods and they do not seem to provoke it.

Not had covid (that I know of, my last LFT was a week ago and was negative and I’ve had no symptoms since) and booster was almost a month ago now… I did wonder if it was a virus. It’s the coincidence of the new earbuds that I can’t quite shake! Thank you ladyandthechocolate

@YoureBreakingMyHeartCecilia

Thanks rubyslippers, I haven’t dared stand up yet because last night was so unpleasant! Yes it’s the fact I wasn’t wearing them at the time that’s giving me pause. It just seems such a coincidence that my first ever attack of anything remotely balance related has happened a week after my first ever earbuds (which I love and don’t want to stop using!!)

Not surprised - sounds horrid Maybe ease yourself up this morning to sitting and see gently how you go?

Could be Labyrinthitis. It can come on very suddenly and is very disorienting. When I first had it I fell face first into the floor thinking I was upright and also walked into walls.

Probably just a coincidence with the AirPods. I hope you are feeling better today. I suffer with vertigo, it’s an awful feeling. If you experience it again speak to GP to rule out ENT or Neurologist condition.

Thanks so much everyone.

It’s much much better this morning, though I’m taking it very very carefully.

That sounds horrible Betelgeuse!! Though after how I felt last night I can totally relate to it. I felt like I was more drunk than I have ever been and was swimming instead of walking 😩

I am prone to vertigo and suffer with vestibular migraines but it took me a while to realise that one of the triggers can be wearing my Bose over ear noise cancelling headphones (not for music but in noise cancelling mode when want some peace) I’m sure there is something about these and any in-ear devices that messes with your inner ear and balance! I’m really careful now about wearing them which is a shame as I love them too.

A few months ago I was dx with BPPV, it still hasn't gone, but due to the accident I had several months ago, I still can't have any of the physio treatments for it.

It's possible it's your EarPods as it can be caused by earwax pushing on the eardrum.

It can be caused by so many things though, so hopefully it isn't your ear pods. Look up BPPV & try some of the exercises if you can.

As always there are a lot of suggestions for food that helps/provokes it as well as sleeping position & walking etc

Try not to to look up (at top shelf of kitchen cupboard/ceilings/trees) or down (floor/stairs) they suggest a neck brace, but a towel wrapped around you neck will help (mostly as a reminder not to do it).

Hope it clears quickly for you.

It's easy to set it off again, so I'd give the EarPods a miss for a while before trying them again

When my DS2 saw ENT consultant he was told to never wear ear pods, he thought they were not a good idea for anyone, he was seeing more patients with impacted ear wax.

I was initially dx with BBPV, this was not in fact the case, a few years later after MRI I had a completely different dx after a further relapse, my symptoms were neurological. Definitely see GP it continues or you experience other symptoms such a numbness/pins & needles.

Good luck OP.

Thanks so much everyone. That’s so interesting about the ENT consultant roselily…