Dizziness and Balance

Home , Audiology, Dizziness, Hearing, Vertigo

AUDIOLOGY INFORMATION SERIES Dizziness and Balance

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Your brain maintains balance by using inner ear and help people sense information from your eyes, the inner ear gravity.) (vestibular system), and the sensory systems of  blood pressure changes the body (such as the skin, muscles, and joints).  cardiovascular problems Problems with any one of these three systems  fistula (hole) in the inner ear such as can result in vertigo, dizziness, and/or superior canal dehiscence syndrome unsteadiness. Dizziness is a common reason  head injury adults seek medical attention.  infections, including ear infections [PDF]  Ménière’s disease What are vertigo, dizziness, and  migraine unsteadiness?  multiple medicines or drugs that can increase your risk of falling Vertigo is the feeling of self-motion or spinning  multiple sclerosis when you are not moving. Vertigo is often  ototoxic medications [PDF] (medicines considered a different symptom than dizziness. that are poisonous to the ear or balance Dizziness is nonspecific and can refer to a range system) of symptoms, such as lightheadedness or  visual disorders vertigo. Both vertigo and dizziness can happen all of a sudden or be triggered by position When should I seek medical care? change, head movement, certain visual environments, or sounds, among other things. Vertigo, dizziness, and unsteadiness can occur In addition, both vertigo and dizziness can with other serious illness. Therefore, if you have affect your ability to stay in an upright position. any of the following symptoms, be sure to seek In many cases, unsteadiness—the feeling of emergency medical care: being unstable while seated, standing, or  chest pain walking—can occur and may result in increased  falling or problems walking risk of falling.  fever that is high

 head trauma or injury Other symptoms that may be present with  hearing loss that is sudden vertigo, dizziness, and unsteadiness include  leg and/or arm weakness nausea, vomiting, faintness, changes in hearing,  pressure or fullness in the ear[s], increased numbness or tingling tinnitus (ringing in the ear[s]), fear, and anxiety.  neck stiffness that is severe  speech that is slurred What causes vertigo, dizziness, or  vision that is blurry unsteadiness? It is important to see your physician to

determine why you may have these symptoms. Some causes of vertigo, dizziness, and In some cases, symptoms can be treated unsteadiness include the following: medically, surgically, or with vestibular  acoustic neuroma or vestibular rehabilitation. Based on your symptoms, your schwannoma (tumors that affect the physician may refer you for balance testing by nerve leading to the ear) an audiologist. The purpose of balance testing is  benign paroxysmal positional vertigo to evaluate your eyes, your inner ears (BPPV) [PDF] (BPPV is caused by tiny (vestibular system), and the sensory systems of crystals in the ear coming loose. your body (such as the skin, muscles, and joints) Calcium crystals are found within the …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Audiology Information Series ©ASHA 2020 AUDIOLOGY INFORMATION SERIES Dizziness and Balance

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… to determine the cause of your symptoms. Notes: Because hearing loss can accompany a balance ______disorder, a hearing test is often included. Some ______balance tests can be done in your physician’s ______office. Other balance tests require specialized ______equipment located in the audiology office or ______clinic. ______Balance (or Vestibular) Rehabilitation ______Your audiologic (hearing), balance, and medical ______diagnostic tests help indicate whether vestibular (balance) rehabilitation could help Content contributed by ASHA member Kristen you. Vestibular rehabilitation is an Janky, AuD, PhD, CCC-A. individualized balance-retraining exercise program. The goal of vestibular rehabilitation is to decrease dizziness, improve balance, For more information and to view the entire Audiology Information Series library, visit improve functional activities, and improve www.asha.org/aud/pei/. quality of life. Many audiologists provide some vestibular rehabilitation. However, other clinicians, such as physical therapists and occupational therapists, are specifically trained For more information about balance problems, preventing falls, hearing loss, hearing aids, or referral to provide more extensive rehabilitation as well to an ASHA-certified audiologist, contact: as fall-risk prevention. 2200 Research Boulevard When should I see an audiologist? Rockville, MD 20850 800-638-8255

Audiologists perform tests to gather Email: [email protected] information about your hearing and balance Website: www.asha.org function. Test results help determine the possible cause(s) of your symptoms. Medical findings and test results will provide diagnostic Compliments of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association information on how to treat your vertigo, (ASHA) dizziness, and unsteadiness. Audiologists can 2200 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850 * 800-638- give you information to help you learn what is 8255 causing your symptoms. Knowing what is happening is often a great relief that eases the uncertainty of the condition.