Whether you’ve recently experienced acute dizziness or vertigo or have been battling these symptoms for an extended period, seeking help is essential. At Lakeside Hearing, Balance, and Tinnitus, our experienced team of vestibular audiologists understands the complexity of these symptoms and can provide the assistance you need. We offer objective audio-vestibular testing and tailored vestibular rehabilitation right here in the Okanagan, so you don’t have to travel to Vancouver.

Understanding the Challenge

Dizziness, vertigo, poor balance, brain fog, unsteadiness, and motion sensitivity are often difficult to describe accurately. These symptoms can be both frightening and debilitating. However, our team specializes in diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders. We employ objective assessments to determine if a vestibular disorder is present and, based on our findings, create an individualized treatment plan.

The Teamwork Between Balance and Hearing

Good balance and coordination are aspects of our health we often take for granted until they are compromised. Suddenly, simple activities like walking across a room, navigating stairs, or getting out of bed become challenging or even dangerous. Our team comprehends the intricate connections between the brain, inner ear (vestibular system), eyes, and muscles that all need to work in harmony to create balance.

Maintaining good hearing health is essential for preserving balance. The inner ear, which houses both balance and hearing sensors, is vital in helping us orient ourselves in space. Consequently, conditions affecting the balance sensors can also influence the hearing sensors and their pathways. Vestibular disorders may lead to hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing or other sounds in the ears), reduced sound tolerance, or ear pressure. Managing hearing loss is a critical component of an effective vestibular treatment plan.

Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Dizziness and vertigo are common symptoms of vestibular disorders. These symptoms can be challenging to describe accurately, making a diagnosis sometimes elusive. Common causes of dizziness and vertigo include inner ear damage, concussions, and migraines. We can provide insights into these symptoms and offer guidance on appropriate treatments.

The Significance of the Vestibular System

The vestibular system, one of the sensory systems in your body, relays crucial information to your brain about balance, motion, and the positioning of your head and body concerning your surroundings. Within the inner ear, three semicircular canals make up the vestibular system. Each canal serves a unique purpose, sensing different types of movements. Understanding how the vestibular system works is essential for diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders.

The Vestibular Testing Process

Vestibular testing comprises a series of tests designed to determine whether balance problems are related to issues within the inner ear’s vestibular organs or if they have a neurological origin. The tests may vary in length and type, tailored to each patient’s case.

VEMP

One essential test is Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP). This test verifies the functionality of different parts of the vestibular system and their associated organs. By playing tones through earphones and monitoring specific muscular reactions, we can assess the vestibular system’s and nerves’ health.

vHIT

Have you ever wondered how your eyes stay focused when you quickly turn your head? It’s all thanks to something called the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR). This reflex helps your eyes track what you’re looking at, even during sudden head movements. Think of it like a car’s suspension system that keeps everything stable as you drive.

A vHIT or Video Head Impulse Test is a unique way to check if your VOR is working correctly. It’s like a quick checkup for your balance system. Here’s why it’s important:

1. Keeping Vision Sharp: When your VOR is healthy, your eyes move in sync with your head, so you can focus on objects even when moving around. This is crucial for activities like reading while walking or driving safely.
2. Detecting Problems: Sometimes, the VOR needs to be fixed. In such cases, your eyes might struggle to stay on target, causing blurriness or jumping vision during head movements. This can be quite uncomfortable and is called “oscillopsia.”
3. Quick Diagnosis: The vHIT test helps us discover an issue with your VOR. Tracking your eye and head movements with special goggles can pinpoint problems and offer the proper treatment.

VNG

Lastly, at Lakeside Hearing, we stay at the forefront of technology to provide you with the best care possible. You might have heard of Frenzel Goggles, but we want to clarify that we invest in the latest advancements, like VNG (videonystagmography), for our diagnostic and balance assessment needs.

Basic Frenzel goggles serve their purpose in evaluating patients with vestibular disorders, but they have limitations. They magnify and illuminate the eyes for observation but don’t track eye movements, generate reports, or produce tracings.

On the other hand, Infrared Video Frenzels come with cameras to record eye movements and are additional tools for balance assessments and vestibular rehabilitation. They record video files as reference points during and after therapy. But, as with basic Frenzel goggles, Video Frenzels do not produce any report, only video (and sometimes audio) files of the patient encounter.

When it comes to evaluating and diagnosing vestibular and central nervous system (CNS) issues, VNG (videonystagmography) stands out as the superior choice. VNG takes diagnostic testing to the next level. VNG employs advanced goggles and infrared cameras, making it the most sophisticated option. The eye-tracking software is highly complex, and the hardware is of a higher calibre compared to Video Frenzels.

Here’s why VNG is a game-changer:

1. Comprehensive Eye Tracking: VNG not only tracks but also records eye movements and nystagmus, providing precise data for diagnosis. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual reports, reducing the risk of human error.
2. Complex Algorithms: VNG uses intricate algorithms to generate detailed reports. Our qualified healthcare professionals can interpret this information confidently, accurately diagnosing vestibular and CNS issues.

 Videonystagmography (VNG) focuses on a specific type of eye movement called nystagmus. Nystagmus can cause your eyes to move erratically, often linked to dizziness.

A VNG evaluation does three key things:

1. Tests the visual pathways to the brain.
2. Evaluates the function of the equilibrium system in each inner ear.
3. Provides insights into how these systems collaborate to maintain balance in your body.

VNG helps us pinpoint disorders in the vestibular system, which includes the inner ear organs, nerves, and structures responsible for your body’s balance. It’s a crucial tool in assessing your overall balance and health.

To learn more about Frenzel googles and VNG and their crucial differences, read more on our blog.

Combining our expertise with cutting-edge technology, Lakeside Hearing ensures you receive the most precise diagnosis and effective treatment for your vestibular concerns.

If you’re struggling with dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues, Lakeside Hearing, Balance, and Tinnitus in Kelowna and Lake Country is here to help. Our objective audio-vestibular testing and personalized rehabilitation programs can significantly impact your quality of life. Don’t let vestibular disorders hold you back—contact us today to take the first step toward a healthier, more balanced future.