Feeling Dizzy or Off Balance? Understanding Vestibular Disorders and How We Can Help

If you often feel light-headed, dizzy, unsteady on your feet, or like the room is spinning, you could be experiencing a problem with your vestibular system. While many people assume these symptoms are just a part of getting older or stress-related, they are often caused by underlying vestibular conditions that can be assessed, managed, and significantly improved with the right care. At NeuroAudiology, we offer detailed vestibular assessments and personalised treatment plans that help you regain balance, stability, and confidence in your daily life.

Understanding your symptoms is the first step toward getting support. This guide explores what the vestibular system does, what causes dizziness and balance issues, and how vestibular rehabilitation therapy can help you get back to feeling like yourself again.

What is the Vestibular System?

The vestibular system is part of your inner ear and is responsible for maintaining balance, spatial orientation, and coordinating your head and eye movements. It works closely with your eyes and muscles to help you move smoothly and stay upright. This system includes structures within the inner ear such as the semicircular canals and otolith organs, which detect head motion and changes in position.

When the vestibular system is functioning properly, you likely do not even notice it working. But if something disrupts this system, your brain may receive confusing signals about movement and balance, leading to dizziness, vertigo, or unsteadiness. These symptoms can affect your quality of life, limit your mobility, and increase the risk of falls.

Common Vestibular Disorders

There are many types of vestibular disorders, each with its own causes, symptoms, and treatments. Some of the most common conditions include:

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
  BPPV is one of the most frequently diagnosed vestibular disorders. It occurs when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and move into the semicircular canals. This disrupts the way your brain interprets head movements and leads to brief episodes of vertigo, especially when lying down, rolling over, or looking up. Although BPPV can be frightening, it is usually very treatable with specialised repositioning manoeuvres.
• Vestibular Neuritis and Labyrinthitis
  These conditions involve inflammation of the vestibular nerve (vestibular neuritis) or both the vestibular and cochlear nerves (labyrinthitis). They are often caused by viral infections and can lead to sudden vertigo, nausea, imbalance, and hearing changes. Recovery can take days to weeks, and in some cases, rehabilitation is needed to retrain the brain and improve balance.
• Meniere’s Disease
  Meniere’s disease is a chronic inner ear condition that causes recurrent episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. The exact cause is unknown, but it may involve abnormal fluid buildup in the inner ear. Meniere’s can significantly impact daily life and requires a combination of medical management and vestibular rehabilitation.
• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
  PPPD is a more recently recognised condition where a person experiences ongoing dizziness and unsteadiness, especially when standing or walking in visually complex environments. It is often triggered by a previous vestibular event such as BPPV or neuritis but continues due to changes in the brain’s processing of motion. PPPD is highly responsive to vestibular therapy.
• Migraine-Associated Vertigo
  Some people with migraines experience dizziness or vertigo as part of their migraine attacks. This can occur with or without headache and may last minutes to hours. Managing the underlying migraine condition is key, but vestibular rehabilitation can also help reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms.

Symptoms of Vestibular Dysfunction

Vestibular disorders do not all feel the same. Some people experience spinning sensations, while others feel disconnected from their body or the world around them. If you have been noticing any of the following symptoms, it could point to an issue with your vestibular system:

• A sense of spinning or vertigo
• Feeling light-headed, faint, or woozy
• Unsteadiness or feeling like you might fall
• Trouble walking in a straight line or veering off to one side
• Sensitivity to busy environments like shopping centres or traffic
• Difficulty focusing your eyes or tracking movement
• Nausea, motion sickness, or fatigue
• Anxiety linked to movement or changes in posture

These symptoms may come and go or be persistent. Some people find they are worse when turning their head, getting up from bed, or moving around in crowded or brightly lit spaces. Over time, vestibular dysfunction can interfere with your independence and mental wellbeing, especially if it causes you to avoid activities you once enjoyed.

How Vestibular Disorders Are Diagnosed

Diagnosing vestibular disorders requires a careful evaluation by a trained clinician who understands the complexity of balance, hearing, and neurological systems. At NeuroAudiology, we begin with a detailed case history to understand your symptoms, medical background, and how these issues are affecting your life.

We then conduct a series of vestibular assessments that may include:

• Balance and gait testing to observe how you walk and maintain posture
• Eye movement tests to assess the coordination between your eyes and inner ear
• Head and body movement evaluations to detect positional triggers
• Standard hearing assessments to identify any associated hearing loss or tinnitus

These tests are non-invasive and designed to pinpoint the exact cause of your symptoms. From there, we create a treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs and recovery goals.

Vestibular Assessment Services at NeuroAudiology

NeuroAudiology offers one of the most comprehensive vestibular testing programs in Australia. Our team of experienced clinicians uses a combination of clinical observation, specialised movement testing, and hearing assessments to get to the root of your dizziness or imbalance.

We take the time to explain what is happening, why you are feeling the way you are, and how treatment can help. You will receive a clear report outlining your results, and if necessary, we can refer you to our network of trusted ENT specialists and neurologists for further investigation. This collaborative approach ensures that nothing is overlooked and that you are supported at every stage of the process.

Whether your symptoms are new, persistent, or linked to a known condition such as Meniere’s disease or vestibular neuritis, our goal is to help you find answers and regain control over your body and movements.

What is Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy?

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is an evidence-based program designed to help people with vestibular dysfunction improve their balance, reduce dizziness, and build confidence in movement. It involves a series of exercises and strategies that retrain your brain and body to respond more accurately to signals from the inner ear, eyes, and muscles.

Unlike general physiotherapy, vestibular therapy is tailored specifically to the vestibular system. It may include:

• Gaze stabilisation exercises to improve focus and visual tracking
• Balance training to build strength and coordination
• Head and body movement routines to desensitise the brain to motion
• Functional tasks that simulate real-life activities, such as walking on uneven ground or turning quickly

Each program is designed based on your unique test results and symptoms. You will work one-on-one with a clinician who monitors your progress, adjusts your exercises as needed, and supports you through every step of recovery.

How Vestibular Therapy Improves Daily Life

The goal of vestibular therapy is not just to reduce symptoms, but to improve your everyday life. After just a few sessions, many people begin to notice improvements in their ability to walk, turn, shop, drive, or participate in hobbies without dizziness or fear.

Some of the long-term benefits of vestibular rehabilitation therapy include:

• Reduced frequency and intensity of dizziness
• Increased confidence in walking and standing
• Better concentration and reduced visual fatigue
• Improved physical coordination and posture
• Less anxiety related to movement or being in crowds
• A stronger sense of independence and safety

Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, VRT offers a pathway to long-term improvement and greater control over your health and lifestyle.

When to Seek Help for Dizziness or Balance Issues

It is a common myth that dizziness is just a part of getting older or that it will go away on its own. In reality, ongoing dizziness and balance problems can often be treated with the right therapy and guidance.

You should seek professional assessment if:

• Your symptoms are affecting your ability to work, drive, or engage socially
• You have experienced falls or are afraid of falling
• You have been diagnosed with a condition like BPPV or Meniere’s disease
• Your dizziness has lasted longer than a few days
• You feel anxious or frustrated by your symptoms and want answers

Getting the right diagnosis early can make a huge difference in how well you recover. Our team is here to help you take that step with confidence.

Why Choose NeuroAudiology for Vestibular Support

At NeuroAudiology, we bring together deep expertise in both hearing and balance. Our clinicians are trained in advanced vestibular assessment and rehabilitation techniques, and we offer one of the most trusted programs for managing vestibular conditions in Australia.

We provide:

• Personalised vestibular assessments tailored to your symptoms
• Evidence-based rehabilitation programs that promote real-world improvement
• Access to our extended network of ENT specialists and neurologists
• Clear communication and ongoing support from experienced clinicians

We believe in empowering patients through education, collaboration, and customised care plans that meet your unique needs.