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Dizziness

 

Audiology isn’t just about hearing, it’s also about balance. Your primary balance organs are located in your inner ear. General practioners and ear, nose & throat physicians refer their patients to us for comprehensive vestibular assessments and BPPV treatment.

 

ELECTRONYSTAGMOGRAPHY

Electronystagmography (ENG) is a series of tests used with dizzy patients to check the vestibular portion of the inner ear and VIIIth cranial nerve. The testing is comprised of three parts, through all of which the patient’s eye movement is measured using surface electrodes. The first part involves watching a light as it moves around on a screen. The second part involves lying down in various body positions and watching for unusual eye movement or vertigo. The third part involves directing cool and warm air into the ear canals, which induces a spinning sensation in healthy individuals. The eye movement is recorded and differences between the various conditions are analyzed to determine the location of vestibular dysfunction.

BPPV TREATMENT

BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) is the most common type of dizziness found in adults. It is caused by particles found inside the inner ear ending up where they aren’t supposed to be. After the location of the particles is determined through electronystagmography, they can be repositioned using a series of precise head movements. The treatment is very effective in most patients, and relief is often experienced for years at a time.