Vestibular / Balance Clinic

The Vestibular system is one of the integral systems which helps in the maintenance of balance in the three dimensional space. There are various peripheral and central disorders of the vestibular system that leads to various symptoms like imbalance, vertigo and dizziness. Dizziness is a symptom that can vary from mild unsteadiness to a severe whirling sensation accompanied by nausea and vomiting.  The treatment of dizziness depends on its cause(s) and may consist of medicine, surgery, counseling, and/or rehabilitative measures. After the diagnosis is made, patients are managed with a wide variety of medical, surgical, and/or rehabilitative treatments. The clinic is headed by Dr SathyaMurali and a team of doctors and skilled audiologists perform the tests. The goal of the vestibular / balance clinic at MERF is to work with the family, primary health care provider, other professionals and also with the patient to improve their quality of life and help them to return to their maximum level of activity. The vestibular / balance clinic consists of the state of the art facility for appropriate diagnosis and management of these conditions. The vestibular test battery carried out here consists of the subjective tests and objective tests. The procedures carried out include Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP), Videonystomography (VNG), Head Impulse Test (vHIT) and caloric testing.Patients are diagnosed and treated effectively in the most cost-efficient manner possible.The test results are also compared with the other audiological findings to give a holistic treatment to the patient.


Vestibular Disorders

Vestibular disorders include several conditions that affect your sense of balance. Most affect the vestibular organs within your inner ear, but problems with your central nervous system can cause balance issues, too. Common symptoms include dizziness and vertigo. Treatments include medications and vestibular rehabilitation therapy.

What are vestibular disorders?

Vestibular disorders include issues with your vestibular system. This body system includes structures in your inner ear and brain that help you maintain your sense of balance. A problem with the vestibular structures in your inner ear or parts of your central nervous system (CNS) can lead to balance issues (vestibular dysfunction), often causing symptoms like dizziness and vertigo.

Types of Vestibular Disorders

  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): Caused by tiny crystals (otoconia) that become dislodged in the inner ear, causing brief episodes of vertigo with certain head movements.
  • Meniere's Disease: Characterized by vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a feeling of fullness in the ear due to fluid buildup.
  • Vestibular Neuritis: Inflammation of the vestibular nerve, leading to sudden, severe vertigo that can last for days.
  • Labyrinthitis: Inflammation of the inner ear, affecting both hearing and balance, causing vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus.
  • Acoustic Neuroma: A non-cancerous tumor on the vestibular nerve, causing hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo.
  • Perilymph Fistula: A tear in the membrane separating the inner and middle ear, leading to vertigo and hearing loss.
  • Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease: The body's immune system attacks the inner ear, causing hearing loss and vertigo.
  • Migraine-Associated Vertigo: Vertigo associated with migraines, either during or between migraine attacks.
  • Presbyvestibulopathy: Age-related decline in vestibular function, causing dizziness, imbalance, and falls.
  • Vestibular Paroxysmia: Rare disorder causing brief vertigo episodes triggered by movement or changes in head position.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of vestibular disorders?

The most common symptoms of vestibular disorders include:

  • Dizziness (feeling lightheaded or "woozy")
  • Vertigo (feeling as if you’re spinning or the room is spinning)
  • Trouble standing or sitting upright
  • Difficulty walking steadily
  • Hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Uncontrollable, irregular eye movements (nystagmus)
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Difficulty concentrating

Take the First Step Towards a Balanced Life

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For more information: +91-8056284543, +91-44-2493-9143, 24622403