September 22, 2023

Those of us who deal with ears professionally often hear friends talk about their struggles with dizziness. We not only hear about the disruptive nature of the condition, we also hear about feeble attempts to manage it. We hear about lingering symptoms. We hear about treatments that likely have no long-term benefit. We hear about people avoiding certain positions or activities for years. We often get frustrated that our friends have never been told the most beneficial path to take.

The term dizziness refers to a disruption in your sense of balance or stability. It can include spinning, lightheadedness, or sensations of veering. It is not specific. Lightheadedness is often the result of momentary low blood pressure in the head. It may not be related to the ears. Unsteady walking or standing may be a structural problem. Your hips, knees or feet may not be functioning properly. Many other variations of “dizziness” are related to the ears.

  • Get one-stop access to top-notch ear health care
  • Identify and address vestibular disorders quickly and effectively
  • Enjoy safe, comfortable relief from vertigo without surgery
  • Access targeted treatments to minimize long-term dizziness symptoms

Easily identify the cause of dizziness with a comprehensive evaluation

The term “vertigo” means an illusion of motion. You feel as if you are spinning, or the room is spinning around you, when you are at rest. Your ears are designed to detect changes in position or velocity. Organs in the inner ear do this by responding to the flow of fluid. They send nerve impulses to your brain, spine and the muscles that move your eyes. Our eye movements and posture adjust automatically to changes in head position. The ears need to work as equal partners for the system to work properly.

Common kinds of vertigo may come from permanent damage in the inner ear (or nerve). In other cases the presence of calcium crystals in the wrong part of the ear. ONLY a diagnostic examination by a qualified professional can determine which, if any, of these conditions is present. This will include a review of medications, balance testing, and observations of eye movements. Videonystagmography (VNG) tests cover these areas.

Get personalized treatment tailored to your condition

Results of VNG testing guide treatment. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) helps many patients. Sometimes medications may help. In many cases, however, this may delay improvement. Often a quick maneuver in the office can cure the vertigo in minutes. You may be given simple home treatments. Some cases may be referred to other professionals. We can’t help you unless we see you. Don’t wait any longer. Call us now. As always, we wish to keep you on a clear path to good hearing and ear health.