Vestibular/Balance Treatments
Balance & The Inner Ear
Our balance system, or vestibular system, helps us walk, run and move without falling by processing signals from the senses to the brain. The vestibular system is located in the inner ear, which is why you may feel disoriented or dizzy when you have an ear infection.
Sensations of dizziness or vertigo can be caused by a number of things. Your vestibular system takes in information from the eyes, ears, skin and other sensory organs. A condition in any of these systems could impact your balance. This is why a comprehensive assessment should be performed early in the treatment process.
Dangers of a Vestibular Disorder
Anyone who has experienced involuntary dizziness knows how serious this condition can be. When you can’t feel steady on your feet, your risk of falling dramatically increases. In turn, your risk of suffering a head or back injury also rises and in severe cases these injuries can last a lifetime.
Vestibular therapy is often used as treatment or part of a treatment plan for the following:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Labyrinthitis
- Vestibular neuritis
- Ménière’s disease
- Inner ear concussion syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- CVA/stroke
- Post-concussion syndrome
You should seek medical treatment as soon as possible if you are frequently dizzy or disoriented. A medical professional can help you manage the symptoms of vestibular disorders while working on a more permanent solution.
Walk Steadily Again
Our skilled audiologists provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment for impaired balance, dizziness, vertigo and other conditions. In many cases, a patient’s care is coordinated by a team of multi-disciplinary professionals, each working to address the various symptoms and causes.