dizziness assessment living well audiology, community ... · is tailored to your particular...
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Dizziness assessmentAudiology, Community Hearing Care, Therapy and Balance Service
Contact Us
Audiology Department Floor One, Nye Bevan House, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN Tel: 01706 261909 Fax: 01706 261911Email: [email protected] (Mobile text) available if required please ask
Audiology Department Radcliffe Primary Care Centre, 69 Church Street West, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 2SPTel: 01706 837121 Fax: 01706 261911Email: [email protected]
Useful websites:
www.vestibular.org www.dizziness-and-balance.com
Date of publication: April 2016Reference: 4191© Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
Working together LIVING WELL
@PennineCareNHSwww.penninecare.nhs.uk
Patient Advice and Liaison ServiceThe Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) acts on behalf of service users, families and carers to negotiate prompt solutions and help bring about changes in the way that services are developed. As well as providing a confidential advice and support service, PALS will help guide you through the different services available from the NHS. Tel: 0161 975 4753
Comments and complaintsWe want to learn from comments and complaints about our services. If you have any, please speak with a member of staff. Every effort will be made to resolve any concerns and complaining will not cause any difficulties in your care with us. You can also contact the Trust’s Complaints Department via post at Trust Headquarters, 225 Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7SR.Tel: 0161 975 4753 Email: [email protected]
Become a member of our TrustYou can be the voice of your community by electing or becoming a governor, find out more about your local mental health and community services, and receive updates, comment on our plans and get invitations to health events. Tel: 0161 716 3960 Email: [email protected]
Alternative formatsIf you need help to understand this information, require it in another format such as large print, spoken (on CD) or Braille, or require it in a different language – speak to a member of staff.
What can I expect to happen at the appointment?
Your appointment will last about one hour. You will usually be asked to complete a questionnaire prior to your arrival, which you will need to bring to your first appointment. During your appointment we will ask you about your dizziness and other relevant medical history. We may also assess your hearing and/or balance ability and you will have an opportunity to ask any questions throughout the consultation. You may bring one other person to the appointment with you and it is advisable not to drive immediately after the tests as you may feel a little unsteady.
What tests will be done?
If you have not been assessed previously, you will have a range of tests which the practitioner will explain to you. This may include tests of hearing, eye movements, balance assessment and tests for dizziness in certain positions. All these tests will help the practitioner identify any ear related causes for your dizziness.
What causes balance problems?
There are nerves running from the balance organ in the inner ear to the balance control centre in the brain along with various other inputs from the body. When all these inputs co-ordinate, balance is maintained. If there is a difference in these inputs, it is possible to experience a sensation of unsteadiness, dizziness or vertigo.
What can be done to help?
In the vast majority of cases, the symptoms do improve with time as the brain learns to cope with the changes that have taken place. However, depending on your symptoms, you may benefit from rehabilitation exercises or the Epley manoeuvre.
Rehabilitation exercises
If the brain fails to naturally recover from an episode of dizziness, simple exercises can be given which aim to improve your symptoms. These exercises may initially make your dizziness seem slightly worse, but if you continue with them your dizziness symptoms may gradually improve. If exercises are appropriate the practitioner will arrange a programme that is tailored to your particular problem.
The Epley manoeuvre
Sometimes dizziness can be experienced when moving in certain positions, such as when looking up or down, lying down or rolling over in bed. This can be caused by loose particles triggering the sense organ in the inner part of the ear. If this is the cause of your dizziness, a simple but effective manoeuvre of the head undertaken by the practitioner can correct the problem.
What happens next?
The practitioner will discuss any test results with you and the options you have. Depending on your results we may recommend further investigations. We do not undertake any treatment or arrange ongoing management without your informed consent.
The practitioner who referred you to the service will be informed of the outcome of your appointment.
If you have any questions about this appointment, please contact the Audiology Department on the number on the back of this leaflet.