Dizzying Sounds (IMAGE) University of Utah Caption University of Utah biomedical engineering professor Richard Rabbitt (left) and doctoral student Marta Iversen have discovered why certain people experience dizziness when they hear a particular sound, such as a musical tone. For patients with semicircular canal dehiscence, there is a pathological hole in the bone that the inner ear is encased in, and certain acoustic tones cause the inner ear fluid to pump. As a result, the ear sends an incorrect signal to the brain, causing dizziness and vertigo. Credit Dan Hixson/University of Utah College of Engineering Usage Restrictions Credit University of Utah. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.