Dizziness
Dizziness is one of the most common complaints heard by healthcare providers. It is also very complex, having many potential causes.
Dizziness is something many people deal with, and it’s one of the most common reasons people reach out to healthcare providers. At the same time, it can be confusing because dizziness doesn’t have just one cause—it can come from many different issues.
When dizziness includes a spinning feeling, known as vertigo, the problem is often linked to the vestibular system. This system, located in the inner ear, helps control balance and spatial awareness. It includes fluid-filled canals and special organs that sense movement and gravity. When this balance system is disrupted or damaged, it can lead to vestibular disorders and ongoing dizziness.
Common Symptoms
Vestibular Disorders
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Disorientation
- Motion Sickness
- Imbalance/Unsteadiness
- Increased risk of falling
- Blurred vision
- Involuntrary eye movements (Nystagmus)
- Blurred vision with head movement (Oscillopsia)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weakness/Fatique
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Risk Factors for developing
Vestibular Disorders
- Age (40+ years old)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Chronic ear infections
- Diabetes
- Gender (Women)
- Hereditary factors
- History of migraine
- Infections (bacterial or viral)
- Medications (e.g., aminoglycosides,chemotherapy))
- Trauma to the ear, neck, and/or head
We have the expertise and specialized equipment needed to thoroughly evaluate the inner ear and determine its role in dizziness and balance issues.
Comprehensive Assessment
Possible Tests Include:
- Videonystagmography (VNG) Test
- Vestibular Head Impulse Test (vHIT)
- Vestibular Autorotation Test (VAT)
- Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPS)
- Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA) Test
- Dix hallpike test
- Other tests, such as the Vertebral Artery Screening Test (VAST), Cervical Dizziness Test, Head Impulse Test (HIT), Side Lying Test, and/or Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) may be performed as appropriate depending on your symptoms and case history.
Take the First Step Toward Better Hearing Today
Click the button below to request your appointment or consultation, or give us a call. Our team at Golden Hearing Clinic is ready to help you take the first step toward better hearing and balance.
Preparing for the Vestibular Evaluation
Avoid taking the following types of prescribed and over-the-counter medication within 48 hours of your appointment, as they may interfere with testing.
Medications to avoid
before evaluation:
- Anti-vertigo and anti-nausea medication (e.g., Meclizine, Antivert, Dramamine, etc.)
- Sleeping pills
- Pain medication
- Anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, and mood disorder medication
- Allergy or cold medication, with the exception of nasal sprays
- Antihistamines
If you have any hesitations regarding the temporary suspension of your medications, we recommend consulting with your prescribing doctor first. For your evaluation, please provide a comprehensive list of all current prescriptions, supplements, and over-the-counter medications.
Other
Preparations:
- Avoid alcohol, tobacco products, and illicit drugs for 48 hours prior to testing.
- Avoid high-caffeine beverages (e.g., energy drinks, espresso) the day of testing. These may affect test results.
- Provide your audiologist with prior reports and test results related to your symptoms.
- Arrange for transportation home. Even though most patients feel fine after testing, some may feel fatigued and/or a bit disoriented.
- Get a good night’s sleep. You will be required to be alert and keep your eyes open throughout much of the testing.
- You cannot wear your glasses during the test; wear contacts if you have them.
- Please arrive with your eyes completely free of makeup or false lashes. Our diagnostic equipment uses high-speed cameras to track your pupils, and dark pigments on the lashes or lids can disrupt these precise measurements. If you have tattooed eyeliner, please bring a white eyeliner pencil to temporarily mask it during the session.
- Please fast for at least two hours prior to your appointment; however, if you are diabetic, you may have a light snack. To minimize the risk of nausea during the evaluation, we also recommend keeping your fluid intake to a minimum.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Take the First Step Toward Better Hearing Today
Click the button below to request your appointment or consultation, or give us a call. Our team at Golden Hearing Clinic is ready to help you take the first step toward better hearing and balance.