At Golden Ears Audiology Clinic, We provide Vestibular rehabilitation for Inner ear related Dizziness and Vertigo these include BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) and PPPD (Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness.
Vestibular Rehabilitation is an exercise based approach designed to reduce the symptoms of dizziness and imbalance.
The Vestibular System
The vestibular system includes parts of the inner ear and brain that help control our balance and eye movements.
It consists of 5 organs that are sensitive to different types of movement: The saccule detects gravitational changes and the utricle detects linear movements. The 3 semicircular canals detect rotation of the head. Information about these head movements is sent from the vestibular system to the cerebellum which coordinates the motor movements needed to maintain posture and balance, such as postural reflexes and ocular reflexes.
Damage to the vestibular system due to vestibular disorders, disease, aging or injury results in abnormalities in these reflexes and this lead to symptoms such as dizziness, imbalance, vertigo and reduced visual acuity.
The following symptoms may indicate vestibular dysfunction:
– Vertigo when rolling over in bed, getting into and out of bed.
– Dizziness with head and body movements such as moving the head up, down, sideways and whilst bending down or going up and down stairs.
– Dizziness when walking and turning the head in either direction
– Dizziness when walking in busy environments such as shopping centres.
– Dizziness when reading a book, looking at computer screens and using the mobile phone.
Vestibular Injury and Compensation
The body can compensate for vestibular injury by recalibrating the brain areas that controls balance.
Compensation occurs naturally in most people, but when it is not successful, vestibular rehabilitation therapy may be required. Vestibular exercises are incorporated to enhance the remaining vestibular, somatosensory, or visual function.
Incomplete Compensation
Incomplete compensation can limit head movements in individuals, as rapid head rotations to the direction of the damaged vestibular organ, does not keep the eyes fixated on the visual target. This reflects an abnormal ocular reflex as visual acuity is degraded during head rotations.
This can cause limited participation in activities which leads to disability and handicap and impairment of quality of life.
“Frequent episodes of vertigo, triggered by changes in head and body position— whether lasting only for a few seconds or days on end are a primary sign of a vestibular dysfunction”
Do you require a Vestibular Rehabilitation Appointment?
Please contact us using the form below to request a Vestibular Rehabilitation or with any questions you might have. We will aim to get back to you as soon as possible. If your request is urgent, please call us directly. Please remember, vestibular rehabilitation is for inner ear related dizziness and not other forms of dizziness.
