Here's several studies that were done showing how hyperinsulinemia caused by carbohydrate metabolism disorder can effect the inner ear.
Rick

Hyperlipoproteinemia, hyperinsulinism, and Meniere's disease.
Spencer JT Jr.
Since first reporting the association of hyperlipoproteinemia with inner ear disease in a study of 300 patients in 1973, I have continued to focus attention on the presence of lipid abnormalities in patients with inner ear dysfunction. With over 1,400 patients now identified with both abnormal lipids and inner ear symptoms, it has become increasingly apparent that most patients seen by otolaryngologists because of Meniere's disease come from that same large population group who are prone to obesity, maturity-onset diabetes, coronary artery disease, and atherosclerosis. These patients share the common problem of being unable to handle refined carbohydrates well. Based on the reports and studies of many authorities, a hyperinsulinism exists in these conditions. These patients are helped by replacing refined carbohydrates with complex carbohydrates having increased fiber. When these conditions can be identified in patients with Meniere's disease, dietary management has been found to be the most effective therapy.
...
Metabolic disorders in vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss.
Kazmierczak H, Doroszewska G.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ludwig Rydygier Medical University of Bydgoszcz, Poland. hk_bydg_otoneurol@poczta.wp.pl
...Vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss are common complaints among populations of industrial countries, especially in persons older than 40 years. Numerous agents are known to incite vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss, among them hyperinsulinemia, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we proposed to assess the occurrence of hyperinsulinemia, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia in patients suffering from vertigo, tinnitus, or hearing loss of unknown origin. Results of various tests in 48 patients were compared to those in 31 control subjects. Assessments of body mass index, blood pressure, and laryngological, audiometric, and electronystagmographic parameters were performed in all study participants. An oral glucose tolerance test was used to evaluate insulin levels, and lipoprotein phenotyping served to determine cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoprotein levels. Patients were found to be significantly more overweight (on the basis of body mass index) than were the control subjects. Hypertension was more common among patients than controls, but the difference was significant only between the men in the two groups. Disturbances of glucose metabolism were found in 27.1% of patients but in only 9.7% of controls. Diabetes mellitus was not present in any controls but was identified in four patients. Hyperinsulinemia was almost twice as common in patients as in controls. Only the occurrence of hyperlipoproteinemia seemed not to differ between patients and control subjects. We conclude that such disturbances of glucose metabolism as diabetes mellitus and hyperinsulinemia may be responsible for inner ear diseases, whereas the role of disturbances of lipid metabolism remains vague.
PMID: 14964957 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
....
Hyperinsulinemia and tinnitus: a historical cohort.
Lavinsky L, Oliveira MW, Bassanesi HJ, D'Avila C, Lavinsky M.
Research Center, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil. lavinsky.ez@terra.com.br
....Tinnitus affects millions of people worldwide, and it signals the presence of several underlying diseases, including hyperinsulinemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response to dietary treatment in 80 patients with associated tinnitus and hyperinsulinemia. On the basis of data obtained by a questionnaire, two groups were established: One included patients who followed the prescribed diet; the other group included patients who did not comply with the treatment. The likelihood of improving tinnitus symptoms was fivefold higher in hyperinsulinemic patients who followed the diet than in those who did not (relative risk [RR], 5.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.85-15.37; p < .05). In addition, resolution of tinnitus was reported by 15% of the patients who followed the diet as compared to 0% of those who did not. These findings underscore the importance of including hyperinsulinemia in the routine diagnostic investigation of patients with tinnitus regardless of whether associated with neurosensory dysacusis or vertigo (or both).

Hi Rick,

I nearly missed your post. Very interesting stuff here. I might show this info at our group's next monthly meeting. Thanks.

Scott :cool:

...Thanks, Scot, For a long time I thought most of my severe vertigo attacks were caused by an allergy to gluten but the more I learn about hyperinsulinemia, the more I'm wandering that possiibly it's the high insulin levels or something related that caused the vertigo. I didn't get vertigo everytime I ate Wheat or Oats, but everytime I had a vertigo attack, it was right after I had eaten wheat or oats. But there was always some things that puzzled me. It was when that was the only food I ate (oatmeal cookie, big breakfast biscuit with jelly, etc) and it was also when I hadn't eaten for several hours.
...There was also one vertigo that happened at a convention and I ate some complimentary popcorn and very sweet lemonade at one of the exhibits, also after not eating for many hours. I've always wondered about that one because it didn't fit in with the rest, but looking at it from a glycemic standpoint, they all fit the mold. I have almost convinced myself that it was a hyperinsulinemia attack (is that a new term?) that triggered the vertigo.
...I think it would be a great study to bring in people who have inner ear disorders and give them an OGTT but double the amount of glucose and see if you get any spin-outs!! But also test for insulin more so that for Blood glucose. i would have loved to have gone on the Low GI diet when I first got the Tinnitus, wonder if I could have avoided this whole mess?
...Hey, Scot, this might make you famous!!, Just call it the "Rick49 Experiment"
Later,
Rick

This is really, really interesting stuff. I was diagnosed as insulin resistant (I don't know if that is the same thing as hyperinsulinimic but I think they are related) when I was 18 (I am now 21) and have noticed some correspondance between what I eat and how it affects my symptoms. People have known for a long time that diet has a huge effect on migranes which are a vertigo culprit, so why not on other related disturbances. I'll forward the article on to my endrochronlogist and see what he has to say. I hadn't even thought of contacting him regarding my brain fog, but maybe I should.