What Is Vestibular Audiology?
Vestibular audiology is a specialized branch of audiology that focuses on assessing and managing disorders related to the inner ear’s vestibular system. Untreated balance disorders can lead to reduced mobility, decreased independence and an overall decline in quality of life. Our team of vestibular audiologists is well-equipped to assess, diagnose, and develop personalized treatment plans to address these symptoms effectively.
Common Symptoms of Balance Disorders
- Vertigo: This sensation of spinning, even when you are not moving, is one of the most common symptoms of a vestibular disorder. Vertigo can lead to a feeling of instability and a fear of falling.
Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded, off-balance or woozy is another common symptom. Dizziness can disrupt daily activities, impact work and overall well-being. - Imbalance and Unsteadiness: Individuals with balance disorders often have difficulty walking straight or standing upright, and they may veer in particular directions. This can increase the risk of falls.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Some vestibular disorders may cause feelings of nausea and even vomiting, especially during episodes of vertigo.
- Visual Disturbance: Blurred vision, light sensitivity and difficulty focusing can accompany balance disorders and compromise visual stability.
- Hearing Changes: Some vestibular disorders may be linked to changes in changes, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and/or sensations of fullness in the ears.
What Will Happen at My Appointment?
Step 1: Comprehensive Patient History
Before the evaluation begins, our audiologists provide questionnaires on the impact of your dizziness on your overall function, review your medical history and discuss your symptoms with you. This comprehensive patient history helps us understand your unique situation and allows us to focus on areas that require special attention.
You may download, print and bring these forms with you to save time.
Step 2: Vestibular Evaluation
Our specialized vestibular evaluation is designed to determine the source or sources of your balance and dizziness issues. Using state-of-the-art technology and advanced testing methods, we will assess the function of your inner ear’s balance system and gather essential data on your balance, eye movements and related functions. Examples of testing that may be performed are included below:
- Comprehensive audiometric testing: If you have not had a recent hearing test, we will complete this at your appointment. Hearing and vestibular disorders often occur together. As part of this testing, you will respond to beeps and words in a quiet booth. We will also assess your outer ear and eardrum with visual inspection and pressure tests.
- Videonystagmography (VNG): This test allows us to distinguish peripheral (ear) vs. central (brain) causes of dizziness. Patients wear goggles with a camera inside that measures eye movements. The audiologist will measure your eye movements in different head and body positions to identify possible damage to the vestibular system.
- Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP): This test is used to determine whether specific vestibular organs and nerves are functioning normally. Adhesive electrodes are placed on the head and neck while the audiologist measures neural responses to particular eye and neck movements.
- Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT): This test measures a reflex called the vestibular-ocular reflex, which tells us how well your eyes and inner ear work together. We use this information to determine the origin of your dizziness, track your system’s recovery and establish an appropriate treatment plan.
- Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance: This standing balance test evaluates how well your vision, inner ear and sense of touch work together. The results of this testing allow us to determine your balance ability and fall risk.
- Rotational Chair Testing: This test evaluates the horizontal semicircular canal, superior vestibular nerve and pathways. It is considered the gold standard assessment for bilateral vestibular loss and can be helpful in pediatric patients.
Our Services
- Adult Comprehensive Vestibular Evaluations (ages 12+): Our team uses state-of-the-art equipment to conduct thorough assessments of the vestibular system, enabling accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.
- Pediatric Comprehensive Vestibular Evaluations (ages 4-12): Pediatric patients experience unique symptoms of dizziness and imbalance. Our team provides a personalized assessment for patients aged 7-12 years to determine the origin of dizziness and its future implications. We are also equipped to provide condensed evaluations for ages 4-6 to help direct necessary interventions.
- Concussion Evaluations: Our team evaluates patients who experience dizziness, balance disturbances and visual symptoms following a head injury. A comprehensive vestibular evaluation by an audiologist is known to reduce recovery time post-concussion.
- Treatment Plans, Education and Counseling: Our team provides comprehensive education on vestibular disorders and their management, empowering patients to understand their condition better and make informed decisions.
Call Ascentist Audiology & Vestibular Center for more information or to schedule an appointment.
