I can't seem to hear well from the right ear," said a concerned 28-year-old airhostess poised gracefully in front of me. "Initially, I thought it was because of the ambient hum of the airplane, but now I'm convinced it's a problem because I find it hard to decipher what people are saying on the phone as well. I've also noticed a bothersome buzzing in my head as if a bee is bouncing off the walls within my skull with nowhere to go. There is also a subtle sway in my gait toward the right, but I'm not sure if I'm imagining it. The airline company doctor got me to do an audiogram and MRI, and has asked me to see you with these results."

I asked her to follow my index finger with her eyes by keeping her head straight, and noticed an abnormal jerk in her gaze when she looked to the right. Quick coordinated movements of her right hand lagged a little in dexterity when compared to her left side. When I made her walk in one line, heel to toe, the test made famous by the police to see if you're under the influence of alcohol, she stumbled, shuffling towards the right.