Many people are surprised to learn that dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, motion sensitivity, and even some headache symptoms can originate from the vestibular system within the inner ear. At On-Balance, hearing and vestibular services are integrated to ensure patients receive comprehensive assessment and coordinated care.
Our interdisciplinary team of Vestibular Physiotherapists and Audiologists work closely together for more accurate diagnosis, streamlined care, and tailored treatment planning.
Our Vestibular Physiotherapists will complete a thorough assessment and commence treatment where appropriate . They will also identify whether further inner ear or hearing assessment is required as part of your management plan.
VFT and hearing assessment go hand in hand when it comes to thoroughly assessing the cause of a balance issue. Anatomically, the inner ear is made up of the vestibule, responsible for balance, and the cochlea, responsible for hearing. Even though the vestibule and cochlea consist of separate organs, the two are intimately connected. They share the 8th cranial nerve, called the vestibulocochlear nerve, which transmits hearing and balance data collected by the middle and inner ear to your brain for processing. Clinically, this means that a hearing loss can also be responsible for balance issues, so detecting and properly addressing it can help us with your balance rehabilitation (Mahafza et al., 2022).
The aim of a vestibular function test (VFT) is to collect objective data about the tiny organs of the inner ear responsible for balance. Using advanced techniques such as vHIT (video head impulse test) and VEMPs (vestibular evoked myogenic potentials), we are able to measure the function of the otolith organs (detecting vertical and horizontal movement) and the semicircular canals (detecting rotational movement) respectively. This gives our clinicians more insight into your condition, providing us with evidence to guide your care in the right direction.
To assess your hearing during the appointment, we conduct a comprehensive suite of tests that may include:
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear disorder that presents with episodes of vertigo, tinnitus and hearing loss. It is thought to be caused by a build up of the specialised fluid that exists in the inner ear (called endolymph), leading to internal pressure that affects balance and hearing. This demonstrates how closely linked the vestibule and cochlea really are.
Mahafza, M. T., Wilson, W. J., Brauer, S., Timmer, B. H. B., & Hickson, L. (2022). A Systematic Review of the Effect of Hearing Aids on Static and Dynamic Balance in Adults with Hearing Impairment. Trends in Hearing, 26, 23312165221121014.
