Fidelis Healthcare In-office Balance Testing Program
Fidelis Healthcare is now offering comprehensive in-office hearing evaluation and vestibular balance testing. This enables primary care practitioners to medically manage the full spectrum of their patients’ audiologic and balance care in-office.
Why get vestibular tests?
The purpose of vestibular testing is to determine whether there is an abnormality with the vestibular portion of the inner ear. The differential diagnosis for patients complaining of dizziness is immense. A combination of vestibular testing and hearing tests is used to differentiate between the many different medical diagnoses.
Some important reasons to prescribe vestibular testing include:
- In a cost-effective analysis for evaluation of vertigo it was concluded that hearing testing followed by an ENG/VNG was the most effective method to diagnose vestibular disorders (Stewart et al, 1999).
- To objectively document vestibular conditions such as BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) and Perilymph fistula, which commonly occur after head injury, vestibular neuritis, and Gentamicin ototoxicity, which commonly is a side effect of medication.
- To decide if more expensive tests like MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are needed. Vestibular testing together with a complete physical examination and clinical history correctly predict in 95% of cases the need (or rule out the need) for neuroimaging test (Levy and Arts, 1996).
- To assist in detecting certain CNS disorders. Recent studies have suggested that internuclear ophthalmoplegia, a central eye movement disorder, is missed by 71% of physicians unaided by quantitative oculomotor testing (Frohman et al, 2003).
- Attempt to prevent falls in older adults by diagnosing the causes for dizziness and balance disorders. Read more about fall prevention here.
Learn more about the structure and function of the Vestibular system.