The study titled “Clinical Pathways in Vestibular Care: Referral Trends Between Vestibular Rehabilitation and Objective Vestibular Testing” included a medical chart review of patients who completed both vestibular rehabilitation (VR) —a specialized type of physical therapy— and objective vestibular testing (vestibular test battery; VTB) – testing completed by an audiologist. The study included 149 adult patients who were seen in a large medical facility in the Midwest and had symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues. The participants were divided into two different groups based on their care pathway: VR ‑first group: patients who started with physical therapy or VR. VTB ‑first: patients who started with objective testing, or a VTB. The goal of this study was to understand how patients move between VR and VTB and if (and how) early VTB changed treatment outcomes. This study was a second phase of corresponding research: “Survey of Physical Therapists’ Views on Referral […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Aug 13 2025 23:26    View Full Story...

Question: How can I make sure my physical therapist is truly qualified in vestibular care? When someone is suffering from a vestibular disorder, they may experience dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, visual disturbances, and other distressing symptoms. It may be necessary to find a physical therapist (PT) who is trained in vestibular rehabilitation to treat these symptoms and the deficits that occur as a result. A trained PT specialist will significantly enhance your recovery, compared to a generalized PT. They will be able to get to the root of the problem and utilize interventions that are specific and individualized to achieve optimal outcomes effectively and efficiently.  Check out these tips to ensure your PT is a qualified vestibular specialist. Training Inquire about vestibular competency training, certifications, and/or extensive coursework. Competency courses from institutions like Duke, Johns Hopkins, University of Pittsburgh, 360 Neuro Health, The American Institute of Balance, and the Academy of Neurologic […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Aug 11 2025 19:24    View Full Story...

Understanding Meniere’s Disease – Your Rights in Australia Accessing diagnoses, benefits, and treatment with the support of legal definitions and advocacy Meniere’s disease (MD) causes episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus, which can seriously impact daily life. Navigating the Australian healthcare and social support systems to obtain the correct diagnosis, treatment, and disability support can also be challenging. If you or someone you love has MD and is seeking disability benefits, medical tests, or insurance coverage, it is important to understand how Australia legally defines MD —and what steps you may need to access support. Why Legal Recognition of Meniere’s Disease Matters In 1995, the Australian federal government created a special task force of medical experts to develop a Statement of Principles (SoP) for MD. A SoP acts like a legal definition that helps determine who qualifies for medical benefits, disability pensions, and insurance claims. It also guides doctors in making diagnoses and recommending appropriate […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Aug 5 2025 17:22    View Full Story...

Functional brain activity in persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) during galvanic vestibular stimulation reveals sensitization in the multisensory vestibular cortical network What is PPPD and why study it? Persistent postural‑perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a chronic condition that causes ongoing dizziness and a sense of unsteadiness, especially when standing upright, moving, or in visually busy environments. It often follows a vestibular (balance) disorder, migraine, anxiety, or medication side effects. Although standard tests may no longer show abnormalities, sufferers remain sensitive to motion. The researchers wondered: Could the brain itself become over‑excitable or “sensitized” to vestibular signals, even when the inner ear is functioning normally? What did the study do? Enrolled 28 PPPD patients and 28 matched healthy people. Participants underwent galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) during an fMRI brain scan. This uses mild electrical pulses behind the ears to safely trigger sensations of movement. After each stimulus, they rated how strongly they felt […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Jul 28 2025 18:00    View Full Story...

At the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA), we recognize that symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, visual motion sensitivity, and light sensitivity can make using websites challenging. That’s why we are committed to making vestibular.org as comfortable and accessible as possible for everyone. This guide provides tips and tools to help you navigate our website more easily if you experience: Sensitivity to screen brightness or light contrast Difficulty with scrolling or motion-triggered dizziness Discomfort from cluttered or fast-moving visuals Before We Get Started How Do I Do That? The guidance given below is not specific to a particular type of device (such as a computer, phone, or tablet) or browser (such as Safari or Chrome). If you are unsure how to accomplish the suggested accommodations, try typing your search query into your preferred search engine (such as Google or Bing). Here are some examples: “How do I turn on dark mode in […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Jul 23 2025 22:22    View Full Story...

In a significant step forward for global vestibular advocacy, the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) recently presented to a group of European doctoral students from the PROVIDE Network—an initiative designed to train the next generation of vestibular researchers. This collaboration brought together patients, clinicians, researchers, and advocates across continents to shine a spotlight on the patient experience and how it intersects with healthcare, research, and education. What is the PROVIDE Network? PROVIDE, which stands for Patient-Centered Care for Vestibular Disorders, is a European training program funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under Horizon Europe. The network includes 10 PhD candidates hosted by academic and clinical institutions across Europe. Their mission: to generate new knowledge, tools, and interdisciplinary collaborations that enhance the diagnosis and treatment of vestibular disorders. As part of their training, these young researchers are exposed to diverse perspectives—including those of the patients they ultimately hope to serve. To that […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Jul 22 2025 18:01    View Full Story...

I live with vestibular migraine, a condition that affects balance, sensory processing, and the nervous system in ways that are difficult to explain and even harder to live with. My symptoms began during pregnancy in 2018 and were initially dismissed as hormonal shifts, allergies, or sinus issues. It wasn’t until 2023 that I received an official diagnosis. By that time, I had already spent years trying to function while silently unraveling. Even now, many people don’t realize that for those of us with vestibular conditions, the environment isn’t just background noise. It’s a direct trigger. We often discuss managing symptoms through rest, hydration, medication, and stress reduction, but what happens when the very air we breathe or the pressure outside is the cause of our illness? The Overlooked Link Between Climate and Vestibular Health Climate can have a significant impact on the human body, particularly for individuals with invisible illnesses. […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Jul 11 2025 01:07    View Full Story...

ICU – “I See You” Podcast How Does Sleep Affect People with Vestibular Dysfunction? Listen Now Available wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts       SpotifY If you’re dealing with vestibular dysfunction, getting high-quality sleep isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a vital part of healing. When you’re well-rested, your body is better equipped to handle treatment and manage symptoms. On the flip side, sleep deprivation can actually trigger or worsen dizziness, imbalance, and other vestibular issues. This episode of the ICU Podcast explores how developing strong sleep habits, from setting a consistent bedtime to managing light and noise in your room, can become a powerful tool in your recovery toolkit. Guests In June 2021, Tiffany Kopp woke up to her world spinning. It took 2 weeks for her to be diagnosed with BPPV, two months to be diagnosed with vestibular migraine, and a month later she was also diagnosed with […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Jul 8 2025 20:41    View Full Story...

Article Summary To maintain balance and move around our world, we need to combine information from our eyes, body position (how we feel through our muscles and joints), and inner ear balance system. For people who have balance problems, recognizing the important role of vision is key. This knowledge can help them get the specific vision therapy they need.  Balance, Vision & Hearing Working Together Many people think of vision as just how clearly we see things. However, vision affects much more than just clarity. Vision is closely linked to our balance. To stay balanced, we must combine information from our eyes, our body position, and our inner ear. If any of these systems don’t work well, it can greatly impact a person’s ability to move safely. The relationship between our balance (from the inner ear) and vision starts at birth. The inner ear balance system is fully developed and […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Jul 2 2025 01:37    View Full Story...

What is Downbeat Nystagmus? Downbeat nystagmus (DBN) is an eye condition that causes your eyes to drift downward and quickly snap back up. It can make things look like they’re moving or bouncing (called oscillopsia), especially when you look down or move your head. Many people with DBN also feel dizzy, off-balance, or unsteady when walking. DBN is often caused by problems in the lower part of the brain (called the cerebellum), but sometimes doctors don’t find a clear cause. What is Ataxia? Ataxia means poor coordination or balance. It can affect walking, hand movements, or speech. Some people with DBN also have ataxia, and both can happen from the same brain changes. How is it treated? There’s no cure for DBN or ataxia, but some medicines can help improve your symptoms. Not every medicine works for everyone, so treatment may take some trial and error. Common Medicines for DBN […]

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VEDA - Published Tue Jul 1 2025 01:40    View Full Story...