March 30, 2018

Free Educational App Demonstrating How Inner Ear Balance Works in Conjunction with Eye Movements

aVOR app in the app store
Australian researchers have created a free educational app that attempts to demonstrate how the inner ear balance system works and its relationship with eye movement. The app, called aVOR (angular Vestibular Ocular Reflex), is available for download to tablets and smartphones.

The neat thing about this app is that one can manually toggle settings specifying whether there is dysfunction present and where it is present. Once settings have been set, one can than see how it affects eye movements.

The app does use a device's accelerometer such that moving the device also simultaneously move's the avatar's head the same way. One can than see how the eyes respond to such head movements on the device's screen AND see which semicircular canals in the labyrinth is activated or suppressed.

Although this app is principally made for healthcare students and professionals, patients can certainly use it as well.

Below are some screenshots!

Main screen where one can move the head around
and see eye's and labyrinth's responses.

Screen shot of settings where one can specify dysfunction and
where the dysfunction is located.

Of course, one can also watch videos to learn how the inner ear balance system works.



Animation by O2Labz



Fauquier blog
Fauquier ENT

Dr. Christopher Chang is a private practice otolaryngology, head & neck surgeon specializing in the treatment of problems related to the ear, nose, and throat. Located in Warrenton, VA about 45 minutes west of Washington DC, he also provides inhalant allergy testing/treatment, hearing tests, and dispenses hearing aids.


Banner Map

Pediatric Neck Masses

Adult Neck Mass Workup