Balance Disorders & Dizziness Clinic
Rochester
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Strong Memorial Hospital
Contact
Phone
Hours
Monday−Friday 9 a.m.−5 p.m.
Overview
UR Medicine Balance Disorders and Dizziness Clinic provides evaluation, testing, and care for a variety of dizziness conditions including lightheadedness, imbalance, disorientation, and vertigo (spinning). This can range from a modest nuisance to a debilitating disorder. UR Medicine brings together 1,500 expert providers to treat you when your condition requires the expertise of a specialist. Our specialists are board certified, and many have fellowship training—the highest level of education in their field. Because we’re an academic medical center, their care is informed by the high-level research they lead to discover better cures and treatments.
Services
New and ongoing services are available at UR Medicine Balance Disorders and Dizziness Clinic for the evaluation and care of patients with dizziness and balance disorders. The control of balance is a crucial component of daily life. Proper function is essential for even routine tasks, such as reaching for objects, standing, and walking. Some common causes of balance disorders include:
- Acoustic neuroma and other head/neck cancers
- Benign Positional Vertigo (BPV)
- Connective tissue disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.)
- Diabetes
- Dysequilibrium of aging
- Head injury
- Ménière’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Ototoxicity from antibiotics and other agents
- Parkinson’s disease and other neuro-degenerative conditions
- Stroke and other vascular conditions
- Vestibular neuronitis and labyrinthitis
Balance Laboratory Testing
Patients suffering from dizziness can receive specialized testing to diagnose balance and orientation disorders. The standard tests include:
- Video- or electro-nystagmography (VNG/ENG) with head rotation—Your eye movements are measured as you track lights on a screen, shake your head, and perform postural positioning tasks. Another test involves having cool and warm air gently passed through the ear. The purpose of this test is to stimulate the balance organs of the inner ear and determine how well your balance system is working. The VNG/ENG test takes approximately one hour. These tests are safe and non-invasive.
- Rotatory testing is sometimes performed, where you are gently oscillated back and forth on a motorized chair. A simplified head shake version is included in the VNG/ENG.
- Posturography will directly measure your ability to maintain balance. You will stand on a platform with a landscape screen around you. You are then presented with different conditions to determine how steadily you can stand. This test takes 15-20 minutes.
These tests are performed automatically on all patients referred for balance testing, unless special requests are made by your physician, or limitations are imposed by insurance. Tests are performed by a trained technician and interpreted by the Lab Director, Gary D. Paige, M.D., Ph.D. A written report is then sent to your doctor within one week.
Appointment Information
Directions to the Balance Lab
After parking, go to the Lobby on the First Floor. From there, follow the orange ceiling tags that lead to the Orange Elevators. Turn left at the Orange Elevator sign and proceed to the Balance Laboratory waiting room (Room 1-5148).