Alan Desmond

Alan Desmond, AuD, is the director of the Balance Disorders Program at Wake Forest Baptist Health Center, and holds an adjunct assistant professor faculty position at the Wake Forest School of Medicine. He has written several books and book chapters on balance disorders and vestibular function. He is the co-author of the Clinical Practice Guideline for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). In 2015, he was the recipient of the President's Award from the American Academy of Audiology.

Why are Vestibular Specialists so Hard to Find? Part V

Last week, we reviewed some of the drastic reductions in reimbursement for the most sensitive vestibular tests, and pointed out an example of the medical community deciding it could no longer afford to invest in expensive diagnostic equipment, such as a rotational chair. There has to be a breaking point somewhere. Some physicians will simply stop seeing “dizzy” patients.

Why are vestibular specialists so hard to find? Part IV

Simple answer, MEDICARE. Keep in mind that the vast majority of patients complaining of dizziness and imbalance are over 65, therefore, Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare has been slashing reimbursement for the most useful vestibular tests. A few years ago, there was some large scale fraud related to vestibular testing in California. California’s response was to clarify coverage policy to minimize

Why are Vestibular Specialists so Hard to Find? Part III

Last week we discussed that many patients and physicians are unaware of the capabilities of vestibular diagnostic testing and management. This week, we look at some economic issues that diminish access to vestibular specialists. Economics: Why do people with dizziness get full neurologic workups (usually including CT or MRI scans of the brain), and why are there so few specialists

Why are Vestibular Specialists so Hard to Find? Part II

online pharmacy seroquel buy with best prices today in the USA Last week we began the discussion about why there are so few vestibular specialists, and I wrote that I thought it had to do with lack of awareness, and economics. This week, we discuss lack of awareness, next week we discuss economics. Lack of awareness: As an example, the

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Why are Vestibular Specialists so Hard to Find? Part I

As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, I practice in a rural area in southern West Virginia. We operate a comprehensive balance clinic offering Rotational Chair, Active Head Rotation, Platform Posturography as well as standard Videonystagmography. The funny thing is, many local referring physicians and patients have no idea that this is unusual. I suspect they may think there

The Role of Audiometry in Vestibular Testing

“Why are you doing a hearing test? My hearing is just fine.” I’ve heard this frequently enough over the years that I know to take a minute to explain to every vestibular patient, before we get started, why we require an audiogram. I keep it pretty straightforward and simple: “We do a quick hearing test on every patient complaining of

What does Medicare consider a valid Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) test?

This post falls in the Op-Ed category. It is simply the opinion of the editor (That’s me). Feel free to disagree. I don’t mind. In the series of vestibular codes, there is CPT Code 92548 – Computerized Dynamic Posturography. In the AMA code descriptor there is no detailed description of how this procedure is performed, or what equipment is

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What do you mean when you say Dizzy ? – Part VIII

MOTT (MOST OF THE TIME) LIST (General rules to aid in the dizziness diagnosis) A complaint of Vertigo MOTT indicates a peripheral vestibular asymmetry, but can mean Migraine or Infarct A complaint of Lightheadedness, Faintness MOTT is not vestibular. Vertigo, of less than 1 minute duration when lying down or tilting head MOTT indicates BPPV.

What do you mean when you say Dizzy – Part VII

Once you feel that you have a solid grasp on the timing, triggers and quality of the “Dizzy” complaint, you should inquire about other symptoms associated with vestibular disease and health conditions that may lead to pre-syncope or dysequlibrium. Associated Symptoms Symptoms such as tinnitus, hearing loss, otalgia, or aural fullness, particularly unilateral complaints, suggest the probability

What do you mean when you say Dizzy – Part VI

Precipitating, Exacerbating, or Relieving Factors (Triggers) online pharmacy buy seroquel no prescription Symptoms that are brought on or increased by a change in head position, or with eyes closed, suggest peripheral disease. Symptoms noticed only while standing, but never when sitting or lying, suggest vascular or orthopedic disease. Symptoms that are constant and are unaffected by position change are suggestive