Unilateral Vestibular Dysfunction
   This is a weakness on side of the vestibular system. Symptoms you may suffer from could be unbalance and or dizziness when turning your head. In early stages there can be vertigo and the sensation of spinning. Vestibular rehabilitation can provide significant benefits to patients with these symptoms.

Bilateral Vestibular Dysfunction
   A weakness on both sides of the vestibular system. A person with his disorder may suffer imbalance and or dizziness when turning the head. They may also suffer oscillopsia, or the illusion that things are bouncing up and down with movement. There can be significant benefit to patients with this disorder by using vestibular therapy. Balance exercises, and compensatory techniques.

Benign Paroxysmal Position Vertigo (BVPV)
   This disorder is caused when some very small crystals of calcium carbonate, located in the inner ear, become dislodged. When a person lies down, these crystals can float down into one of the three canals that are located in the inner ear. The person then stands up, the crystals can move furthest into the canals, and become trapped. If the person moves in certain ways the crystals can move, giving the person a sensation of spinning repeatedly. BPPVs most common symptom is spinning (Vertigo) shortly after lying down or rolling over in bed. The symptoms usually last only a few seconds to a minute, but can actually wake a person up at night. The symptoms can occur with other head movements and cause brief periods of severe imbalance.
  A head injury is the most common cause of BPPV in people under the age of 50. In older people the most common cause is degeneration of the vestibular system of the inner ear. A noninvasive positional procedure called the Dix-Hallpike test can be used to diagnose BPPV. If the Person is determined to have BPPV, a non invasive procedure can in most cases be used to treat it. Most times only one treatment is all that's required to cure BPPV. This procedure is called the "Canalith Repositioning Maneuver" and can be done in the office in less then one half hour. It is a series of head positioning done by a physical therapist, audiologist, or physician to clear the crystals from the canal and deposit them back in therapist of the inner ear called the "Utricle", where they belong. This is a painless procedure, however the patient may need to endure some feelings of dizziness.

Vestibular Labyrinthitis
  This disorder is caused by bacterial and viral infection of the inner ear causing inflammation of the labyrinthitis. Symptoms may include sudden hearing loss on one side along with nystagmus, vertigo, nausea and vomiting. Acute episodes usually are resolved within 5-6 weeks if treated by a physician. If the patients episode is not fully resolved, using vestibular therapy can assist patients with managing their symptoms.

Menier's Disease, Episodic Vertigo
  Meniers's Disease is a disorder of the inner ear due to the fluctuating pressure of the fluid of the inner ear. Its symptoms may include episodes of vertigo, a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears, tinnitus (noise in the ears), and fluctuating hearing levels. Unlike BPPV, the vertigo that occurs with Menier's Disease can occur at any time, no matter what position the patient is in and can last for several hours.

  Episodic Vertigo is also associated with a temporary decrease in hearing and inner ear noise. Menier's attacks may be controlled with diet, and or medication. If this combination of treatment does not offer adequate relief, your ENT physician may offer surgical intervention. Patients with Menier's Disease may be referred for vestibular rehabilitation for the associated balance problems. Tinnitus is not caused by a vestibular disorder but it can be one of the symptoms of Menier's disease. If it is associated with Menier's disease controlling the attacks of vertigo may help control the tinnitus.