Vertigo and Balance
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please see your GP for a referral:
Vertigo: The false sensation of movement. You might feel like you are spinning, tilting, or swaying, or that the room is moving around you.
Imbalance: Feeling unsteady on your feet, often described as “walking on pillows” or feeling like you’re about to tip over.
Oscillopsia: A visual blurring where objects appear to jump or bounce when you move your head.
Hearing Changes: Tinnitus (ringing), a feeling of fullness in the ear, or actual hearing loss (common in Meniere’s Disease).
Vertigo is the sensation that you, or the world around you, is moving. It is often difficult to describe the symptoms, but some people experience spinning, rocking, wooziness, feeling faint, light-headed, or being off-balance. The feeling of vertigo can be different for everyone and can last from a few seconds to longer episodes of multiple weeks. Some people may find that lying down or focusing on a single point can help to reduce this; others may not.
Many people will experience vertigo in their lives, with 40% of people over 40 experiencing it at least once. Vertigo is generally caused by a problem with the vestibular system, an aspect of the inner ear, however, investigations by medical professionals are needed to uncover a diagnosis and establish a treatment plan. Experiencing an event of vertigo for the first time can be extremely distressing. Your first point of call is to visit your GP. However, in emergency situations, you should call 000 or present at a hospital. When visiting your GP, various investigations and interventions can be used. These may include blood tests, scans, and medications. If your symptoms do not resolve, your GP may opt to refer you to a specialist. These specialists often include Ear, Nose and Throat surgeons (ENT), Neurologists, and Audiologists.
We offer the following balance assessments:
- vHIT
- Videonystagmography (VNG)
- Calorics
- VEMPs
- ABR
- EcochG