Expert: Harriet B Jacobster, Au.D. - 6/15/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have a nine months old. When she was around two months old I noticed she was scared of the stairs. She would cling to me very close. However, since then she outgrew this problem. However, now I noticed that she is:
1.) scared of elevators
2.) scared of landings and take offs and turbulence; she would have this really scared look and cling into me and cry. She was REALLY scared. I was scared for her. Interestingly, during last trip we had 2 landing and 2 take off. During last landing we hit most bumps, yet my daughter was just fine.
3.) she also has scared look when I put her up above my head and then let her go down (of course, I am holding her all the time)
That is all these above are the same kind of movement. Otherwise, she does not have other issues and is developmentally normal. She was seen by neurologist who declared that I have absolutely normal baby.
Do you think this is the thing she is likely to outgrow as per my pedi intuition just like she did outgrow the stairs problem?  Everybody I talk to says that it is perfectly normal for baby to be scared of these things. But I am just not sure. Thanks for any advice and input.
Maybe you have any suggestions on how to improve her vestibular function. I am especially worried about flying as we have to fly a lot.
Bests,
Jenya

ANSWER: Hi Jenya,
I suggest you have your baby evaluated by a pediatric otoneurologist.  That is the professional that will be able to evaluate your baby for a vestibular disorder and/or middle ear involvement.  If your baby is scared of flying, it is possible that this is not a vestibular disorder but rather a middle ear dysfunction that could be causing a lot of pain.

In any case, before assuming it is vestibular and giving you suggestions, your baby needs a full otological workup.

Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Dr. Jacobster,
thank you very much for your reply. I have another question. How will my baby be evaluated for vestibular disorder and for middle ear dysfunction? Are there special tests? Are they invasive? I do not think she had vestibular disorder as has very good control of her body. Also she loves her jumperoo (device that allows baby to jump up and down). She crawls very well and seats unsupported, pulls to stand. Also she seems to get used to the things that scared her: like stairs motion (she is totally fine with it)  and toddler swings (she enjoys them now). So all in all I have two questions if you could be so kind to answer:
1.) How will my baby be evaluated for vestibular disorder and for middle ear dysfunction? Are there special tests? Are they invasive?
2.) If she has vestibular disorder how will it effect her and is it possible to correct?
3.)  If she has middle ear dysfunction how will it effect her and is it possible to correct?
Thank you so much for your service

Answer
Hi Jenya,
Yes, there are special tests and no, they are not invasive.

I think, at this point, it is best that you direct your questions to the pediatric otoneurologist who can give you more indepth answers. They are really too complicated to answer in such limited space and time.

In the meantime, I am referring you to these websites which can give you some insight into pediatric vestibular disorders and middle ear disorders:  http://www.vestibular.org/vestibular-disorders/specific-disorders/pediatric-vest
and
http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/otitisMediaHearingLoss.cfm

Hope this helps.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified in Audiology