Dizzy, Unsteady or Spinning? What Vestibular Testing Involves and How It Can Help You Feel Steady Again
Feeling dizzy, off-balance, or as though the room is spinning can be unsettling, especially when you don’t know why it’s happening.
For some people, dizziness is a brief and occasional experience. For others, recurring vertigo or balance problems can begin to interfere with everyday activities, from walking confidently and driving to exercising, working, or simply getting out of bed. What many people don’t realise is that your ears play an important role in balance as well as hearing.
Located within the inner ear is the vestibular system, which works alongside your eyes and brain to help you understand where your body is in space and maintain your balance. When something disrupts this system, you may experience dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness.
Vestibular Function Testing (VFT) can help investigate what’s happening and provide valuable information to guide the next steps in your care.
At Knox Audiology, we offer Vestibular Function Testing to help patients and their referring health professionals better understand the possible causes behind balance and dizziness symptoms.
Dizziness, Vertigo and Imbalance Aren’t All the Same
People use the word “dizzy” to describe many different sensations. You might feel light-headed, unsteady on your feet, as though you’re moving when you’re not, or as if the room is spinning around you.
Vertigo more specifically describes the sensation that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning when there is no actual movement.
Balance problems can feel different again. Rather than experiencing spinning, you might feel unstable while standing or walking, find yourself veering to one side, or simply feel less confident on your feet.
Understanding exactly what you feel, when it happens, how long it lasts, and what seems to trigger it can provide important clues. That’s why a detailed discussion of your symptoms is an important part of investigating vestibular problems.
What Does Your Inner Ear Have to Do with Balance?
Inside each inner ear is a complex balance system known as the vestibular system. This system detects movement and changes in the position of your head. It continuously sends information to your brain, which combines it with information from your eyes and other sensory systems to help keep you balanced and your vision stable while you move.
Most of the time, this happens automatically. You can turn your head while walking, bend down, stand up, or move through a busy environment without consciously thinking about how you’re staying upright.
When the vestibular system isn’t functioning as expected, however, the information reaching the brain can become disrupted or mismatched. This may contribute to symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, or difficulty keeping vision steady during movement.
When Might Vestibular Testing Be Recommended?
There are many possible causes of dizziness and balance difficulties, and not all of them originate in the inner ear. That’s one reason proper investigation is so important.
Your doctor or specialist may recommend vestibular testing when symptoms suggest that the balance system could be involved.
You may benefit from further investigation if you experience symptoms such as:
• Recurring dizziness or vertigo
• A spinning sensation
• Unsteadiness or difficulty maintaining your balance
• Symptoms triggered by particular head movements or changes in position
• Difficulty keeping your vision stable when your head is moving
• Unexplained balance problems that are affecting everyday life
Rather than simply confirming that you “feel dizzy”, vestibular testing can provide objective information about how different parts of your balance system are functioning.
What Is Vestibular Function Testing?
Vestibular Function Testing (VFT) refers to a range of specialised assessments designed to evaluate how the balance structures of the inner ear and their related pathways are functioning.
There isn’t necessarily one single test that answers every question about dizziness. Different assessments examine different aspects of the vestibular system, allowing your clinician to build a clearer picture of what may be contributing to your symptoms.
The information collected can help determine whether there is evidence of a vestibular problem and whether one side of the balance system may be functioning differently from the other.
These results can then help your referring practitioner determine what should happen next.
What Happens During Vestibular Testing?
Before testing begins, your audiologist will discuss your symptoms and relevant history with you. This is your opportunity to explain what your dizziness feels like, when it began, how frequently it occurs, and whether certain movements or situations seem to trigger it.
During the assessment, you may complete several tests examining the relationship between your inner ears, eyes, and balance system.
Some vestibular assessments monitor eye movements because the eyes and inner-ear balance organs are closely connected. Others may assess how the vestibular system responds to movement or other controlled stimulation.
The exact combination of tests will depend on the reason for your referral and the information your clinician needs to investigate.
It’s also understandable to feel apprehensive about testing when you’re already experiencing dizziness. Your audiologist will explain what is involved and guide you through the assessment.
Can Vestibular Testing Diagnose the Cause of Dizziness?
Vestibular testing is an important part of the diagnostic process, but dizziness can be complex.
There are numerous possible causes of dizziness and imbalance, including conditions affecting the inner ear as well as neurological, cardiovascular, visual, musculoskeletal, and other health factors.
The purpose of vestibular testing is therefore to provide detailed information about how your vestibular system is functioning. Your results can be considered alongside your symptoms, medical history, and any other investigations to help your healthcare team determine an appropriate diagnosis and management pathway.
Depending on the findings, this could involve further medical investigation or referral to another healthcare professional.
How Can Testing Help You Feel Steady Again?
When dizziness is interfering with your life, simply understanding what may be happening can be an important first step.
Vestibular testing can help provide your healthcare team with the information needed to develop a more targeted approach to your symptoms rather than relying on guesswork.
Depending on the cause, management may involve medical treatment, specific manoeuvres, lifestyle strategies, or vestibular rehabilitation with a physiotherapist. Vestibular rehabilitation uses specialised exercises designed to help improve balance, stability, and the way the brain adapts to vestibular changes.
The appropriate treatment will depend on the individual, which is why accurate assessment is so valuable.
Don’t Ignore Ongoing Dizziness or Balance Problems
Occasional dizziness can happen for many reasons, but recurrent or unexplained symptoms shouldn’t simply be accepted as part of getting older.
Balance difficulties can affect independence and confidence and may make people more hesitant to participate in activities they previously enjoyed. They can also increase the risk of falls, particularly in older adults.
If you’ve noticed persistent dizziness, recurring vertigo, or changes in your balance, speaking with your GP or another healthcare professional is an important place to start.
Vestibular Function Testing at Knox Audiology
At Knox Audiology, our Vestibular Function Testing service provides specialised assessment for people experiencing dizziness, vertigo, and balance concerns.
Our audiologists work as part of your broader healthcare team, providing detailed vestibular information that can help your referring practitioner better understand your symptoms and determine appropriate next steps.
We know dizziness and balance problems can be frustrating, particularly when you’ve been searching for answers. Our goal is to make the testing process as clear and comfortable as possible while helping you move closer to understanding what’s behind your symptoms.
Take the Next Step Towards Feeling Steadier
If dizziness, vertigo, or balance difficulties are affecting your everyday life, you don’t have to simply put up with feeling unsteady.
Speak with your GP or healthcare provider about whether Vestibular Function Testing may be appropriate for you.
Finding the cause is an important first step towards finding the right support and helping you feel more confident and steady again.