Balance disorders can significantly affect an individual’s daily activities and quality of life, causing symptoms that range from mild dizziness to severe vertigo and imbalance. Let’s take a closer look at balance disorders, the tests used to diagnose them, and how hearing health professionals can help.
Understanding Balance Disorders
A balance disorder is a condition that makes you feel unsteady or dizzy. You may feel as if you are moving, spinning, or floating, even when you are standing still or lying down. Balance is a complex function that involves the coordination of several body systems, including the vestibular system (inner ear), vision, and proprioception (sense of body position). When any of these systems are disrupted, it can lead to a balance disorder.
Common Signs of a Balance Disorder
Some of the common signs of a balance disorder include:
- Dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation)
- Falling or feeling as if you are going to fall
- Lightheadedness, faintness, or a floating sensation
- Blurred vision
- Confusion or disorientation
These symptoms can lead to further issues, such as nausea, changes in heart rate, fear of public spaces, and anxiety, further impacting well-being.
Causes of Balance Disorders
The causes of balance disorders vary and can include medications, inner ear problems (such as Meniere’s disease), a head injury, or even aging. Sometimes the cause is unknown, making diagnosis and treatment challenging.
The Role of Hearing Health Professionals
Hearing health professionals play an important role in the diagnosis and management of balance disorders. Given the strong connection between the inner ear and balance, these professionals are uniquely equipped to assess balance problems.
Diagnostic Testing
During testing, you’ll provide a detailed medical history, and your hearing health professional will do a short physical examination to look at your ears. Then you’ll have some specialized tests. The goal is to determine whether the issue lies within the vestibular system and, which part of the system is causing the problem.
- Hearing Tests: Since the inner ear is involved in both hearing and balance, hearing tests can sometimes help identify the source of a balance disorder.
- Videonystagmography (VNG): This test measures eye movements that are controlled by the inner ear and brain, which are key components of the balance system. Abnormal eye movements can indicate a problem with the inner ear.
- Rotary Chair Testing: By moving the person in a controlled speed chair, this test can help determine if the dizziness is related to an inner ear disorder.
- Posturography: This test measures how well you can maintain your balance during various surface and visual conditions, helping identify which part of the balance system might not be functioning properly.
- Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) Testing: This examines the function of sensors in the vestibular system that help detect head movements.
How Hearing Health Professionals Can Help
After diagnosing a balance disorder, hearing health professionals can tailor a treatment plan for your condition and needs. Treatments may include medication, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, or in some cases, surgery. They might also recommend vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT), a form of physical therapy designed to help strengthen the vestibular system and improve balance.
Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
VRT is a specialized form of therapy intended to alleviate primary and secondary problems caused by vestibular disorders. It involves exercises designed to promote central nervous system compensation for inner ear deficits. The therapy focuses on three major areas:
- Habituation: Exercises for dizziness that gets triggered by specific movements or visuals.
- Gaze Stabilization: Exercises to improve control of eye movements so vision can be clear during head movement.
- Balance Training: Exercises to improve steadiness so that daily activities can be safely performed.
The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Intervention
Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with balance disorders. Early treatment can often prevent falls, injuries, and the anxiety associated with balance issues. It also opens the door to effective management strategies and rehabilitation, allowing individuals to adjust their lifestyles in safer, more balanced ways.
Visit Us For Balance Testing
Balance disorders can be disorienting and stressful, affecting every area of life from mobility to independence and beyond. However, with the right diagnosis and treatment plan, many people with balance disorders can regain a significant amount of their functioning and independence.
Have you noticed any changes in your balance? Visit us today for a comprehensive assessment.