Dizziness and vertigo can be unsettling and exhausting. A vestibular (balance) assessment helps us understand how the inner ears, eyes and brain are working together, and why symptoms such as unsteadiness, spinning or disorientation may be occurring.
dizziness & Vertigo
helping you feel steady & supported
Are you experiencing rotary sensations whilst remaining still? A spinning movement, pronounced unsteadiness - sometimes even a tilting, rocking, or feeling of being pulled to one side? This is vertigo, an unpleasant illusion of movement often caused by deficit in the vestibular system of your inner ear. These symptoms can be accompanied by nausea, fatigue, headaches, or changes in hearing (such as tinnitus or a feeling of pressure in the ears).
At our independent clinic in Totnes, we take the time to listen and understand your experience, gently exploring what may be causing your symptoms so you feel reassured and clear about the next steps to restoring your balance.
A thorough 2 hour assessment with us will give you a complete understanding of your inner ear balance function. Not everyone will need every test - your assessment is tailored to your symptoms, and we’ll always explain what we’re doing and why before we begin.
Our assessment includes:
Detailed case history and vertigo questionnaire
Examination of the ear canals (otoscopy)
Tympanometry (middle ear pressure test)
Stapedial reflex testing (if indicated)
Calibrated audiogram (air and bone conduction hearing tests)
Clinical eye movement test (to assess how the balance system and brain work together)
Balance and postural assessments, comprising gait analytics plus Romberg’s and Unterberger’s tests
Positional testing with visual fixation removed to assess for nystagmus
Dix-Hallpike test (diagnostic), followed by Epley / Semont / Gufoni maneuvers as treatment for BPPV, if indicated
Head Impulse Test (HIT) to evaluate the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR)
Head-shake & gaze-evoked nystagmus tests
We can help identify common causes of dizziness and vertigo, including:
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) - the most common form of vertigo, presenting as a short-lived intense dizziness triggered by head movement into particular angles or orientation, caused by crystalline particle displacement in the semicircular canals of the inner ear.
Vestibular Migraine - a relatively common form of episodic vertigo which is often associated with headaches, light sensitivity, and visual aura.
Labyrinthitis - inner ear infection that damages both the balance and hearing organs, predominantly viral.
Vestibular Neuritis - an inner ear infection that causes inflammation around the nerves of your balance organ.
Acoustic Neuroma / Vestibular Schwannoma - a benign growth on the nerves of the inner ear, often causing one-sided hearing and balance issues.
Age-related balance changes, a general deterioration in steadiness called presbystasis, with increased fall risk.
Meniere's Disease - a disorder of the inner ear causing severe dizziness, tinnitus, and fluctuating hearing loss.
Functional or visually-induced dizziness (including PPPD).
Rarer causes of vertigo including semicircular canal dehiscence, perilymphatic fistulae, and Arnold-Chiari malformation etc.
Your results will be discussed in full, along with a detailed written report. This can be provided for your records or sent as a referral to your GP or ENT if needed.
We are also proud to be a Bupa-approved provider, meaning patients with Bupa cover can access our services with confidence, knowing they meet high standards of clinical care and professionalism.
Please note: We ask that you avoid alcohol or any medication for dizziness 48 hours prior. You may be asked to have someone accompany you due to the nature of the assessment and treatment, with advice not to drive for several hours after. A Dizziness & Vertigo Assessment is charged at £150.
Available to book March 2026.
