Do you ever feel dizzy? Light-headed? Unbalanced? These symptoms are common, but they could also be a sign that there’s a potential issue with the vestibular system in your inner ear.
September 15th to 21st is Balance Awareness Week, and we wanted to take the opportunity to shed light on some common questions and concerns we hear from patients about balance.
So, let’s talk about it!
What is the Vestibular System?
The vestibular system is a collection of areas inside your inner ear and brain that process sensory information to control balance and eye movements. When these processing areas are damaged by disease or injury, it can lead to dizziness or balance disorders. Genetics, environmental conditions, or other unknown reasons can also trigger vestibular disorders.
If your vestibular system is damaged, you’ll likely experience symptoms such as:
- Dizziness: A sensation of lightheadedness, faintness, or unsteadiness.
- Imbalance: Unsteadiness or loss of equilibrium and spatial disorientation.
- Vertigo: A rotational, spinning sensation, and the perception of movement.
How Do Audiologists Test Your Vestibular System?
If you’re experiencing balance issues, you should make an appointment with us so we can test your vestibular system and help you find a diagnosis. There are several different tests we will perform:
Comprehensive Hearing Test: In this test, you will be asked to signal when you hear soft beeps. Since your hearing organ (cochlea) and vestibular organ rely on the same nerve, your hearing status provides essential information about your vestibular system.
Videonystagmography (VNG) Testing: This test is designed to track nystagmus, which are involuntary eye movements. You will be asked to follow lights as they move in different directions, which helps us diagnose any abnormalities in your vision and balance systems.
Positional Testing: Just like it sounds, this test involves changing the positioning of your body to see how it impacts your eye movements and balance. We may use special goggles during this test to more accurately measure how your vestibular system responds.
Calorics: In this test, we will place warm and cool water or air inside your ear canal to stimulate the balance organ. The temperature change triggers side-to-side eye movements (called nystagmus) that help us pinpoint balance issues in your vestibular system.
Advanced Vestibular Testing
There are also a few more advanced tests that require specialized equipment to perform. We do not offer these tests in the office, but we can make recommendations if we believe one of these tests will help get to the root of your problem:
Rotary Chair: This test is similar to the videonystagmography (VNG) test we highlighted above but in this test, you are wearing VNG goggles while sitting in a rotating chair. This allows us to assess your inner ear function by monitoring how your eyes and balance system respond.
Computerized Dynamic Posturography: In this test, you will stand on a moving platform designed to test how well you can balance under various conditions. The platform will move in different directions, speeds, and amplitudes, but you are secured, so there is no risk of falling.
Electrophysiological Testing: This is a simple test where small sensors (electrodes) are placed on your head and neck to measure your inner ear’s response. These tests don’t require much effort on your part, though you may be asked to lift your head to tighten your neck muscles.