Having problems with balance or dizziness? It could be a problem in your ear that is causing the balance disorder. People who have problems with balance often feel dizzy or unsteady (regardless of whether they are standing, lying down or sitting), because of problems within the inner ear.
Diagnosis of a balance disorder is difficult and requires the services of a trained audiologist. There are many potential causes—including medical conditions and medications. To help evaluate a balance problem, your audiologist may suggest the following balance testing protocols:
- General Tests: These balance tests assess the cause and extent of the balance problem depending on your symptoms and health status.
- A Hearing Test: Your balance system is actually part of the ear, so it is important to test both systems thoroughly when you have balance problems.
- Electronystagmography (ENG): This balance test measures eye movements and the muscles that control them, or imaging studies of your head and brain.
- Posturography: This balance test measures how your body moves in response to movement of a platform, a patterned screen or both.
Balance testing by a qualified audiologist provides a good idea of what is wrong and if we can fix your balance disorder or dizziness problems.