At our Clinic, using state-of-the-art VNG equipment, our audiologists are able to observe the interaction between your eye movements and the vestibular or balance system. This helps to determine the cause of the disorder and the best course of treatment. Some forms of dizziness can be treated right in the office and for others, additional testing or treatment is needed. 90 million Americans will experience dizziness or balance problems sometime in their lives. Dizziness, vertigo and imbalance are the second most common complaints heard in physician's offices. Although very common, acute or chronic problems with equilibrium may indicate serious health risks or limit a person's everyday life. Unfortunately many of these patients do not get the appropriate care for their problem. 50% of patients with balance problems do not get a diagnosis and a specialist evaluates less than 10%. According to the National Institute of Health over 90% of all causes of dizziness can be found after a thorough evaluation. 85% are caused by inner ear disturbances. The good news is that most balance problems can be treated with medication, surgery or vestibular rehabilitation. Vestibular evaluations including auditory evoked potentials and videonystagmography (VNG) are over 90% sensitive for auditory nerve, brainstem or cerebellar pathology causing dizziness. Patients with the following symptoms should contact their physician or call us for a referral to our balance clinic: Feeling of motion, spinning or falling with head movements or changing position e.g. getting in and out of bed Sense of unsteadiness, lightheadedness or imbalance Fear of falling Difficulty keeping balance when walking on different surfaces, e.g. tile to carpet A feeling like you are drifting or being pulled to one side while you are walking Dizziness is a symptom, not a disease. It may be defined as a sensation of: unsteadiness, imbalance, or disorientation in relation to an individual's surroundings. The symptom of dizziness may vary widely from person to person and be caused by many difference diseases. It varies from a mild unsteadiness to a severe whirling sensation known as vertigo. As there is little representation of the balance system in the conscious mind, it is not unusual for it to be difficult for the patient to describe his symptom of dizziness to the physician. In addition, because the symptom of dizziness varies so widely from patient to patient and may be caused by many different diseases, the physician commonly requires testing to be able to provide the patient with some knowledge about the cause of his dizziness. Dizziness may or may not be accompanied by a hearing impairment. Related Links The Vestibular Disorders Association VEDA is a nonprofit organization that provides information to the public about inner-ear balance disorders such as Meniere's disease, BPPV, and labyrinthitis.	A&E Audiology, Inc. Lititz 1555 Highlands Dr. Suite 101 Lititz, Pa 17543 Phone: 717.627.HEAR (4327) Fax: 717.627.2690 A&E Audiology, Inc. Willow Street 226 Willow Valley Lakes Dr. Suite D Willow Street, PA 17584 Phone: 717.464.2144 Fax: 717.464.4255
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