Dizziness Depot

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

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has changed society as we know it. We have social distancing requirements and stay at home in orders in place. This is a new world that none of us are accustomed to. This virus is now widespread, contagious, and has the capability of causing a multitude of unusual symptoms. Most of us are aware of the

We continue to respond to questions posed by readers as we make our way through this quarantine. Andy, AuD asked the following question: “I work in a multi-specialty private clinic here in the Caribbean. As our budget is somewhat limited, what diagnostic equipment is recommended or considered essential for establishing an appropriate vestibular clinic. We have family medicine and physiotherapy

The importance of asking the right questions (and getting those questions answered) Today’s blog is inspired by a comment by Bruce Piner, AuD. We are all trying to be productive during this quarantine, so I have asked readers for suggestions. See Dr. Piner’s comments at the end of this blog. Having a clear understanding of the complaint is crucial to