Imbalance or Dizziness

If you are suffering with imbalance or dizziness, you are not alone.

Dizziness is one of the top three reasons people see their family physician.  At least half of the American population will suffer from imbalance or dizziness sometime in their lives.  When the imbalance or dizziness is caused by the inner ear and its related balance structures in the brain, it is called a vestibular disorder.  Approximately 20% of the general population is affected by a vestibular disorder on any given day.  The good news is vestibular disorders can be treated in nearly every case and the person is able to return to their normal life.  Since half of all falls involving elderly individuals are caused by a vestibular disorder, these could be prevented if diagnosed and treated in time. The Hearing and Balance Institute of the Rockies, Inc. has the expertise and the equipment to ensure you get an accurate diagnosis the first time.

By the time a typical patient is referred to the Institute, they have…

• Seen four or more physicians
• Been told poor balance or dizziness is just a part of “getting old” (it is not)
• Had at least 1 CT scan or MRI
• Had one emergency room visit or was admitted to the hospital
• Been referred at least once for psychiatric evaluation
• Spent more than four years searching for a solution for their dizziness/imbalance issue.

Patients who are candidates for a referral to the Institute are those who have:

• Dizziness, vertigo or imbalance.
• Dizziness or vertigo unresponsive to medical treatment
• Undiagnosed dizziness, vertigo or imbalance
• Dizziness, vertigo or imbalance accompanied by falls
• Dizziness, vertigo or imbalance despite a normal ENG or VNG test
• A neurologic evaluation that indicates a possible gait or balance disorder.
• Symptoms of dizziness or imbalance following chemotherapy, aminoglycoside therapy, or use of any of over 900 ototoxic (damaging to the inner ear) medications or herbals.

Why is the Hearing and Balance Institute different?

• Most medical providers are inadequately trained in dizziness and balance disorder diagnosis and treatment. Even the majority of ear and hearing specialists with eight or more years of college and years of clinical training have only received a few hours of training in the evaluation of dizziness and imbalance disorders. There are even a few that have had NO formal training!

Dr. Terri Ives, ScD, AuD is one of the nation’s leading authorities on dizziness and balance diagnosis. She holds two doctorate degrees with concentrations in this area and has worked in this specific field for over 15 years. Dr. Ives has trained other specialists on diagnosing dizziness and balance problems in the world’s leading medical facilities for over 12 years.

• Most offices lack the equipment or other resources necessary to conduct thorough tests for diagnosis. The “bedside” tests used in physician offices and emergency rooms are insufficient due to low sensitivity and specificity. Which means these tests are not good at correctly identifying when someone has the problem the test is looking for and when the person is healthy. The “Gold Standard” test for dizzy patients with dizziness, the Video or Electronystagmography (VNG/ENG) plus a hearing evaluation often fails to detect the real problem(s) causing the symptoms. Most ENT (otolaryngologist) offices only have these basic tests available.  

We have state-of-the art vestibular and balance testing labs and the most comprehensive diagnostic equipment available.Much of our equipment is unique to Colorado and many surrounding states. We are on par with the best research and teaching facilities in the nation. This allows us to test more of the possible causes of inner ear-related dizziness.  How do we know we are this good? Dr. Ives has trained many of the top hospitals and clinics.

• Most inner ear problems are not remedied with surgical treatment or medical treatment (medications).  Many medications even slow or impede recovery.

At the Institute, you receive personalized care in an environment dedicated to proper diagnosis. We create treatment plans that will put you on the road to recovery based on your detailed clinical findings. We work with your physician(s) and specialist(s) to ensure you receive the best management for your specific condition.

• Some professionals treat the symptoms without first determining the exact cause. Treating symptoms without knowing their cause or causes costs the patient much effort, time and money. Even worse, a potentially serious condition can go undetected. 

We work to determine an accurate diagnosis so you receive the proper treatment. Determining the cause of your symptoms is critical to determining the appropriate course of treatment. In many cases, a physician has already ruled out many medical causes of your dizziness/balance problems that are treatable by medicine or surgery. If our testing determines there is or may be an underlying medical cause of your symptoms, we will refer you to the proper medical specialist for treatment.

Your search for a solution to your imbalance or dizziness issue can end right here.

Call us today at (303) 993-8832 for an appointment for your vestibular evaluation.