Cynthia Ryan, Executive Director of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA)

Cynthia Ryan is the Executive Director of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA), the leading international organization people turn to for help with vestibular (inner ear and brain) disorders. VeDA helps people with vestibular disorders by connecting them to health care specialists and support networks. VeDA promotes awareness for vestibular disorders through testimony and advocacy. Balance is easily taken for granted. However, when the fragile vestibular organs of the inner ear and brain are damaged by illness or injury, anyone can lose the ability to balance—not just physically, but the demands of school, work, family and independent living. These profound impacts are often made worse by the disorder’s invisibility to others and the extended amount of time it takes to get an accurate diagnosis. More than 35% of U.S. adults 40 and older (69 million people) experience vestibular dysfunction at some point in their lives; many of them go on to develop a chronic vestibular disorder. For almost 30 years, VeDA has been a highly respected source of scientifically credible information on vestibular disorders. Through our publications and online community, VeDA has reached literally millions of vestibular patients with critical information and support.