Common symptoms
- Dizziness
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
- Imbalance
- Recurrent episodes of dizziness
- Motion-related dizziness
When to see an ENT specialist
- Episodes of spinning that keep returning
- Vertigo together with hearing loss or ringing in one ear
- Dizziness when turning over in bed or looking up
- Imbalance that affects walking or daily life
Do not wait for an appointment. Dizziness with weakness, numbness, slurred speech, double vision, a severe headache or fainting needs the hospital emergency department immediately — it can be a sign of stroke.
How it is assessed
A careful history — how long the episodes last and what brings them on — followed by examination of the ears and specific bedside tests of eye movement and head position. Hearing tests are arranged where the inner ear may be involved.
Treatment
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a common cause, can often be treated with repositioning manoeuvres done in the clinic. Other inner-ear conditions such as vestibular neuritis or Ménière’s disease are managed with medicines, lifestyle measures and balance exercises.
Frequently asked questions
Is vertigo always caused by the ear?
No. Most spinning vertigo comes from the inner ear, but dizziness can also come from blood pressure, the brain, medicines and other causes. Examination helps separate these.
What is BPPV?
Brief spinning when you turn in bed or look up, caused by tiny crystals in the inner ear moving into the wrong place. It is common and usually treatable in the clinic.
Can vertigo be cured?
Many causes can be treated effectively. Some, such as Ménière's disease, are controlled rather than cured.
This page is general information to help you decide when to seek care. It is not a diagnosis — the right treatment depends on examination.