Treatment for Dizziness and Hearing Issues

We manage BPPV, including posterior canal, lateral canal, anterior canal and multicanal. We understand the difference between canalithiasis and cupulolithisis. We use Frenzel goggles to diagnose BPPV. Some patients are treated in the clinic. Others are prescribed home exercises or referrals to vestibular physical therapists.

Treatment typically includes dietary recommendations, medications to take at the start of a dizzy migraine and medications aimed at preventing migraines.

Patients with unilateral vestibular loss may take two years to recover. We prescribe at-home exercises to address specific symptoms and speed up healing for this one-sided weakness in the inner ear’s balance mechanism.

Patients with bilateral vestibular loss may continue to experience symptoms permanently, but exercises can ensure they reach the highest levels of function.

Persistent motion sickness can sometimes be treated using habituation – repeated exposure to motion – using at-home exercises. Medications that suppress vestibular function may also be helpful.

Visual vertigo is often a variant of motion sickness where visual motion causes a sense of space or motion discomfort. Driver disorientation syndrome is a similar problem that presents while driving, which can include anxiety and discomfort while going above certain speeds, getting on or off an expressway, bridge, tunnel or high contrast driving situations. In some situations, such as post cataract surgery or new glasses, visual vertigo may be driven by changes in focus or size of images.

Treatment for visual dependence typically includes vision therapy, which may include immersive video games that habituate driving behaviors. Medication that increases the ability to exclude distracting visual input can also be helpful.

PPPD is a chronic dizziness characterized by dizziness or unsteadiness when standing or walking. This can be accompanied by other symptoms such as visual disturbances, anxiety and difficulty concentrating.

Treatment for PPPD includes medication (typically an SSRI or SNRI), vestibular rehabilitation, and sometimes CBT type psychotherapy.

Mal de débarquement syndrome (MdDS) is characterized by a persistent sensation of motion, typically rocking or swaying, even when a person is standing still. It often improves with other motion such as driving a car.

Treatment for Mal de débarquement syndrome includes medication combined with visual habituation.