In our most recent blog, we shared more information on vertigo hearing loss. BPPV, or benign, paroxysmal positional vertigo, is common in people fifty and older. Get caught up on the causes of BPPV, and come back for today’s informative article sharing facts about diagnosis and treatment options.
Diagnosing vertigo hearing loss:
Last time, readers learned that benign paroxysmal vertigo may rarely be caused by disorders which damage the inner ear, damage caused during ear surgery, long periods positioned lying on one’s back, and migraines. More commonly, the cause of each case of BPPV remains unknown.
Most often, when the cause is narrowed down, it is often associated with a minor to severe blow to the head. It is likely that your ENT hearing specialist will run a series of tests to determine the cause of a patient’s dizziness. During a physical exam, the Orlando ENT doctor will commonly look for the following:
- signs and symptoms of dizziness that are prompted by eye or head movements and decrease in less than sixty seconds
- dizziness with specific eye movements which occur when a patient lies down on their back with the head turned to one side tipped slightly over the edge of the examination table, or bed
- involuntary movements of patient’s eyes from side to side
- absence of control of patient’s eye movements
Tests used during diagnosis:
The doctor may need to run more tests to find the cause of the symptoms and signs a patient is experiencing. Next, they may order additional tests such as an ENG, VNG, or MRI.
What do these acronyms mean? An ENT is an elecctronystagmography. VNG stands for videonystagmography. The purpose of both of these tests is to detect abnormal eye movement.
During an ENG or VNG, the doctor can determine if the dizziness is due to inner ear disease by measuring involuntary eye movements while the head is placed in different positions or the patient’s balance organs are stimulated with water or air. An ENT uses electrodes while a VNG used small cameras.
MRI stands for megnetic resonance imaging. Chances are, you have heard of this test before. An MRI test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the head and body. Your doctor may use these images to identify and diagnose a range of conditions.
An MRI may be performed to rule out other possible causes of vertigo. This sort of test provides better soft tissue contrast than a CT and can also differentiate between fat, water, muscle, and other soft issue.
The images provide plenty of great information to doctors and may be useful in diagnosing a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Using these tests can help prevent vertigo hearing loss from worsening.
When an MRI may be avoided:
A doctor will not opt for an MRI if you are pregnant. Unique safety hazards are present for patients with implants, external devices, and accessory medical devices. Stents, cochlear implants, and pacemakers are just a few examples.
However, if the implanted medical device has been positively identified as MR Safe or MR Conditional, the patient may receive an MRI exam. Speak with a doctor at the Orlando ENT Hearing Center if you experience dizziness. A proper diagnosis will help you experience less dizziness and vertigo hearing loss in the future!
Staff Writer
