Vestibular testing tests the balance system. The tests are usually requested by the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) or Neurology departments at the hospital. The tests are carried out by an audiologist in the audiology department at the James Paget University Hospital. The appointment will last around 60 to 90 minutes.
To make sure your test results are accurate please follow the instructions below carefully.
- Stop taking medication intended to help your balance/dizziness problem for 48 hours before the test. Any other medication unrelated to your balance/dizziness problem should be taken as normal. You can restart your balance medication immediately after your vestibular test appointment
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine for 48 hours before the test
- Do not attend the appointment wearing eye make-up
- If you have any heart problems, epilepsy, neck/back problems or are unable to maintain a lying down position. Please let us know before your appointment.
It is not advisable to drive yourself after the appointment so please make alternative arrangements for getting home.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
When there is a disruption to the balance system it can cause you to feel dizzy and sick. This disruption changes the information the brain receives from the balance organs. The brain is very good at re-training itself to deal with these changes. However, it needs to experience the things that make you dizzy repeatedly in order to do this. Many people avoid doing the things which make them dizzy which can lengthen the recovery process. It is important that you remain as active as possible.
Balance rehabilitation aims to shorten the time it takes for this re-training process to take place. It does this by repeatedly exposing the brain to challenging information from your balance organs.
At your appointment you will discuss with the audiologist or hearing therapist the movements or situations which make your dizziness worse. Together you will agree upon a few simple exercises for you to practice at home. These exercises will make you slightly dizzy as you expose your brain to more challenging information from the balance organs. This will allow the brain to re-train itself as quickly as possible. You will be given more exercises to progress onto once you can do the first few without getting dizzy. The aim of this is to help you cope better in day-to-day situations.