Dizziness & Vertigo Tests

Vestibular Organ and Balance Function

The vestibular organ is the part of the inner ear responsible for maintaining balance. It consists of five anatomical components:

• Utricle and Saccule – also known as the otolith organs.

• Three semicircular canals:
  lateral (horizontal), superior (anterior), and posterior.

Each component acts as a sensory receptor, detecting changes in head position and motion. These sensors convert the mechanical movement into electrical signals, which are transmitted to the brain via the vestibular nerve. The brain processes this information to provide awareness of body orientation in space and to help maintain posture and equilibrium.

When any part of the vestibular system is damaged or impaired, the result can range from subtle unsteadiness to severe dizziness or vertigo. In some cases, this may lead to loss of balance and accidental falls. Therefore, precise diagnostic evaluation is essential to determine the affected site and to guide effective treatment and management.

Common Ear Disorders Affecting the Vestibular System

Several conditions can impact the vestibular organ and disrupt balance. The most common include:

• Endolymphatic hydrops (e.g., Menière’s disease/syndrome)

• Autoimmune inner ear disease

• Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

• Labyrinthitis

• Vestibular neuritis

• Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD)

• Large vestibular aqueduct syndrome

• Vestibular migraine

• Cervicogenic dizziness

• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)

• Acoustic neuroma (benign tumour of the auditory or vestibular nerve)

Some of these conditions may also affect the hearing system causing hearing loss from very mild and mostly undetected, to very severe, as well as the perception of tinnitus (noises in the affected ear).

Our clinic accepts referrals from GPs and specialists attracting a Medicare rebate. Our Audiologists work in collaboration with ENT specialists, Neurologists, Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists, Nutritionists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Psychologists to provide the most appropriate treatment for each individual patient.

For further information on dizziness and vertigo conditions please see here.