Onset
Did it begin suddenly or gradually, and what was happening around the time it started?
Vestibular audiology · Bryanston
Dizziness is a symptom. The pattern matters.
Vestibular audiology helps organise dizziness, vertigo and imbalance symptoms, consider whether the inner ear or hearing system may be contributing, and guide the most appropriate next step when the picture points elsewhere.
Describe the experience
“Dizzy” can mean very different things.
The exact words do not have to be perfect. What helps most is describing the sensation, when it happens, how long it lasts and what seems to trigger it.
01Spinning or movementThe room or body may feel as though it is turning, moving or shifting.
02Unsteady or off-balanceWalking, standing or moving through space may feel less secure than usual.
03Triggered by head or body movementRolling, turning, bending or changing position may provoke symptoms.
04Light-headed or faintThis description may point beyond the vestibular system and can require medical assessment.
05Ear symptoms at the same timeHearing change, tinnitus, pressure or fullness can be important context.
06Visual or motion sensitivityBusy environments, movement or visual motion may make symptoms harder to manage.
How balance works
Balance depends on more than the inner ear.
Your brain combines information from several systems to work out where the body is, how it is moving and how to stay stable. Vestibular assessment considers the ear within that wider picture.
01Vestibular systemInner-ear information about movement and position
02VisionVisual information about the environment and movement
03Body sensationInformation from muscles and joints about body position
04Central processingThe brain integrates these signals and coordinates the response
Our approach: we do not assume that dizziness is caused by the ear. The symptom pattern and assessment findings guide whether audiology, medical or rehabilitation input should come next.
The history is part of the assessment
Five details can change the clinical picture.
Before the appointment, it can help to notice these details. They often provide more useful information than simply rating how “bad” the dizziness feels.
Duration
Do episodes last seconds, minutes, hours, most of the day or continuously?
Triggers
Does it happen with position changes, head movement, standing, exertion or without an obvious trigger?
Ear changes
Does hearing, tinnitus, pressure or fullness change during or around the episode?
Other symptoms
Headache, visual changes, nausea, falls, neurological symptoms and medication changes may all matter.
When not to wait for an audiology appointment
Some dizziness symptoms need urgent medical assessment.
Seek urgent medical care if dizziness occurs with new weakness or numbness, facial droop, difficulty speaking, sudden severe headache, loss of consciousness, chest pain or other acute neurological symptoms. Sudden hearing loss also requires urgent assessment.
What we are trying to clarify
Is the ear contributing, and what should happen next?
The exact appointment is guided by the history and clinical question. Relevant audiology and balance-related assessment is used to organise the findings rather than forcing every patient through the same test sequence.
Prepare for your appointmentDetailed symptom history
Timing, triggers, ear symptoms, medical history, medication and the effect on daily function are discussed.
Ear + hearing context
Relevant ear examination, hearing or middle-ear information may be considered where clinically appropriate.
Balance-related assessment
Appropriate vestibular or balance-related measures are selected according to the clinical picture and scope of the appointment.
Clinical interpretation
Findings are considered alongside the symptom pattern rather than interpreted in isolation.
Next-step guidance
You receive clear feedback on audiology follow-up, monitoring or referral where another professional should be involved.
The right pathway matters
Vestibular care is often multidisciplinary.
A useful assessment does not have to end with an ear diagnosis. Sometimes the most valuable outcome is identifying which professional or pathway should take over next.
01AudiologyHearing, ear symptoms and vestibular context
02ENT / medical careMedical or otological investigation when indicated
03Vestibular rehabilitationRehabilitation input where movement and balance treatment is appropriate
04Other referralGP, neurology or other disciplines when the pattern points beyond the ear
Your appointment journey
From a confusing symptom to a clearer pathway.
01DescribeWhat does the dizziness feel like?
02Map the patternTiming, triggers and associated symptoms
03AssessRelevant ear, hearing and balance information
04InterpretWhat does the overall pattern suggest?
05GuideFollow-up, rehabilitation or referral
Common questions
Vestibular audiology, explained simply.
Is all dizziness caused by the inner ear?
No. Dizziness can arise from many systems. Vestibular audiology helps determine whether the ear and hearing system may be contributing and whether another referral is more appropriate.
What is the difference between dizziness and vertigo?
Dizziness is a broad term. Vertigo usually describes a false sense of movement or spinning. Your description of the sensation is useful, but the full symptom pattern matters more than the label alone.
Can hearing symptoms and dizziness be related?
Yes. The hearing and balance organs are both located in the inner ear, so hearing change, tinnitus, pressure or fullness can be relevant when they occur with dizziness.
Do I need an ENT referral before booking?
You can contact the practice directly. The team can guide whether vestibular audiology is an appropriate starting point or whether medical assessment should come first.
What should I bring to the appointment?
Bring relevant ENT, hearing, neurological or balance reports if available, a medication list, and any notes about symptom timing, triggers and associated hearing changes.
Book or ask what comes first
Not sure whether your dizziness belongs in audiology?
Describe what you are feeling, when it happens and any hearing or ear symptoms that occur with it. The practice can guide the most appropriate starting point.
Calls + WhatsApp
068 673 3451
Booking assistance available 24/7
Your preferred date and time are a request. The practice will contact you to confirm the appropriate appointment and clinician.