Dizziness and Balance

A balance disorder is a condition that can make a person feel dizzy or unsteady. The system in the body that keeps us balanced is the vestibular system, which is in the inner ear.

If this system is problematic, it can lead to a balance disorder. This can cause vertigo, the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, light-headedness, imbalance, and other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can also increase a person’s risk of falling due to the resulting unsteadiness and imbalance.

The number one cause of vertigo for adults is a condition called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (or BPPV). This causes a spinning sensation when a person changes their head or body position and usually only lasts for up to 1 minute.

Up to 30% of adults over the age of 65 years of age will experience this type of vertigo. The associated symptoms are often treated with medication and as a result it can take years to find and treat the cause.

At Ear Studio, we have highly trained vestibular audiologists who can assess your balance systems in the body to understand what is causing your symptoms. You can read more about balance testing on our blog at www.earstudio.com.au or call the clinic today on (02) 9159 6122 to arrange an appointment to discuss your balance or dizziness.