Vestibular Rehabilitation Program
What is Vestibular Rehabilitation?
The Damen Optimal Health Team offers a comprehensive Vestibular Rehabilitation Program designed to help people with dizziness, balance problems, and inner-ear disorders. Our program provides care comparable to leading centres in Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo, and London.
Who Should Consider Vestibular Rehabilitation?
You may benefit from a vestibular assessment if you experience:
Balance or dizziness issues
– A history of falls or feeling unsteady
– Ongoing dizziness caused by BPPV or other inner-ear conditions
Recovery from inner-ear or neurological events
– After an inner-ear infection such as labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis
– After a Meniere’s disease flare-up
– After a stroke if balance or dizziness problems persist
– Sudden hearing loss in one ear, which can be related to inner-ear injury
Persistent dizziness requiring medication
– If you regularly need betahistine refills to manage symptoms
What Makes Our Assessment Process Different?
The use of advanced tools and testing methods that help identify vestibular issues that may be overlooked in standard assessments. These include:
Infrared Goggles
These goggles remove visual cues that your brain uses to compensate for inner-ear problems. This allows us to see eye movements (nystagmus) that are not visible in normal lighting. Clear observation helps identify:
– Whether dizziness is coming from the inner ear or the central nervous system
– The exact canal affected in BPPV
– Whether the issue is canalithiasis or cupulolithiasis, which require different treatments
– Signs of conditions such as unilateral vestibular hypofunction or a possible perilymph fistula that may require medical referral
Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA) Testing
Assesses how well your eyes stay focused while your head is moving.
Motion Sensitivity Testing
Identifies dizziness triggered by movement or visual motion.
Head Impulse Test
Evaluates how well your vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) stabilizes your vision during movement.
Video Head Rotational Test
Helps detect if one side of your vestibular system is not functioning properly.
Treatment Options
Treatment programs are personalized and may include:
– Repositioning techniques (Epley, Semont, Guffoni, Horizontal Canal maneuvers)
– Gaze stabilization and VOR training
– Motion sensitivity desensitization exercises
– Balance and postural control training
– Gaze shifting and vergence exercises, with or without walking tasks
Program Goals
1. Improve access to high-quality dizziness and balance care for individuals in the Huron-Perth region
2. Reduce the need to travel to larger urban centres for assessment and treatment
3. Support more efficient ENT referrals by identifying who truly requires specialized diagnostic testing (VNG, ENG, VEMP, Caloric Testing)
We are committed to helping you reduce dizziness, improve balance, and return to your normal daily activities with confidence.