Dizziness Depot

The vestibular system (inner ear and brain pathways) has a primary role of providing visual stability associated with head movement through the vestibular ocular reflex (VOR). The VOR is able to provide visual stability by causing the eyes to move in the opposite direction of a head turn or head tilt. For instance, if a head is turned right, the

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is the most common vestibular disorder and most common cause of episodic vertigo. Once identified, Canalith Repositioning procedures are very safe, fast and effective at resolving this condition. So effective, that when repositioning does not quickly relieve the symptoms, the most likely explanation is that the diagnosis is wrong, or the repositioning is being done

It is widely accepted that BPPV is the most common peripheral vestibular disorder (inner ear) and it is the most common reason anyone would experience episodic brief vertigo. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo BPPV is an inner ear disorder where otoconia (inner ear crystals) migrate into the semicircular canals (head turn sensors), which results in episodes of recurrent brief vertigo associated

I’ve got some good news and I’ve got some bad news BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is the most common and most treatable cause of episodic dizziness and vertigo.  Various studies suggest that BPPV is the source of the complaint in approximately one quarter of all dizzy patients, and accounts for approximately half of all vestibular disorders.  As a result,

Dear Readers: During this holiday season, the editors at Hearing Health & Technology Matters (HHTM) are taking some time off. However, we are not leaving you without anything to read on our blog this week. Instead, we are publishing a special holiday edition filled with what we call our Readers’ Choices. Our Readers’ Choices featured this week are the posts

Editor’s Note: This week, we have a contribution from Alyssa Fischer. Alyssa is a third year AuD student at UNC Chapel Hill, and has spent the last few months in our vestibular lab at Wake Forest. Her perspective is unique in that her mother and brother are both audiologists, so she has some insight into the fact that there are

Recently we discussed multi-sensory dizziness and imbalance, reviewing how balance is maintained, as well as some of the more common falls risk factors encountered. A common risk factor for falls that was not discussed and is overlooked by many is hearing loss. Hearing loss is prevalent, with around 15% of American adults reporting hearing difficulty. This is even more prevalent

Vestibular Specialists know a few things. We know that when a patient complains of “dizziness” they could be referring to vertigo, lightheadedness, imbalance, fear of falling, blurred vision or disorientation. We know that these are different complaints with different possible causes, requiring different examinations and different treatments. We know patients often have a hard time describing their symptoms. We know

The ability to maintain equilibrium is essential for survival and as such is redundant, relying on our senses of touch, vision, and the vestibular system (inner ear). This redundancy ensures that if one sense is not functioning properly, the others can take over to ensure we maintain an upright posture. Because the brain interprets this sensory information, a properly functioning

Vestibular compensation is often referred to as central compensation.  In the world of vestibular function, central generally refers to brain function, while peripheral generally refers to ear function.  This is an important distinction because in many cases of peripheral or inner ear dysfunction, the injury to the inner ear may be permanent; however, the symptoms are not.  Central compensation refers