TürkçeThe first departments that patients with vertigo complaints should consult are ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and audiology. Disorders of the inner ear balance system are among the most common causes of vertigo. However, in some cases, evaluation by a neurologist may also be necessary, and the diagnosis is confirmed in this way.
In the diagnosis of vertigo, the patient’s medical history, examination findings, and imaging methods when necessary are used. It must be determined whether the dizziness originates from the inner ear or the brain. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach is highly important for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Audiology specialists particularly evaluate vertigo caused by displaced inner ear crystals or inflammation of the balance nerve. In such patients, audiological examinations, balance tests, and positional assessments help with diagnosis. The treatment plan is also generally determined in light of these findings.
Vertigo of neurological origin may be a symptom of serious conditions such as cerebrovascular diseases or tumors. Therefore, a neurologist should be consulted particularly in cases of sudden-onset, severe dizziness accompanied by neurological findings. Delay may lead to serious consequences.
Which Doctor Should You Make an Appointment With for Vertigo?
Consulting the appropriate specialist for vertigo is important for an effective diagnosis and treatment process. Individuals with vertigo complaints should choose the audiology department. This department provides in-depth expertise in hearing and balance disorders. Since audiologists have advanced education and experience in balance anatomy and physiology, they can comprehensively evaluate the causes of vertigo. They perform various diagnostic tests for a detailed analysis of the vestibular system:
- Audiological Tests: Evaluation of the patient’s hearing thresholds and speech discrimination abilities through pure-tone audiometry, as well as assessment of middle ear findings and hearing pathways up to the brainstem level through immittance examinations
- Videonystagmography: Detailed evaluation of the central and peripheral vestibular systems through a test battery containing multiple tests.
- Caloric Test: A highly valuable, non-invasive vestibular assessment method that evaluates ear function by creating endolymphatic flow through warm and cold air/water irrigation stimulation in the ear, serving as a continuation of videonystagmography.
- v-HIT: A brief method with very high diagnostic value that allows detailed examination of the functions of all semicircular canals and the vestibulo-ocular reflex arc.
- VEMPs: A method that provides diagnostic information about the functions of the balance organs in the inner ear by using sound stimuli.
- Computerized Dynamic Posturography: A guiding vestibular test method in which the patient’s overall balance score and function are evaluated, particularly in patients for whom rehabilitation is planned.
Audiologists evaluate the data obtained from these tests as a whole and determine the appropriate treatment methods. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is among the methods used in vertigo treatment when the patient enters the subacute phase. This therapy aims to improve the patient’s overall balance abilities.
Which Treatments Are Applied in the Audiology Department for Vertigo?
The audiology department determines appropriate treatment methods for patients experiencing dizziness and balance problems. Treatments applied for dizziness vary according to the individual’s needs. BPPV, a benign form of dizziness commonly known as displaced crystals, is among the most common causes of dizziness. BPPV occurs when calcium carbonate crystals become dislodged from their normal location and enter the semicircular canals, causing severe spinning dizziness, nausea, and a feeling of vomiting. The treatment for BPPV consists of repositioning maneuvers. Repositioning maneuvers include:
- Epley Maneuver: The posterior canal is anatomically the most common location in which calcium carbonate crystals may settle. Therefore, it is the most frequently used maneuver method in the treatment of posterior canal BPPV.
- Semont Maneuver: It is a preferred maneuver method used to release calcium carbonate crystals and alleviate patients’ symptoms.
- Gufoni Maneuver: It is particularly preferred in horizontal canal BPPV and has geotropic or ageotropic variants depending on the position of the calcium carbonate crystals.
- Barbecue Roll Maneuver: It is used in the treatment of horizontal canal BPPV or multiple-canal BPPV in which more than one canal is affected.
It is normal for patients to experience dizziness and imbalance during the treatment process. This is associated with the displacement of crystals in the inner ear and is a positive part of the process. When the treatment is successful, dizziness and other symptoms tend to decrease. Audiologists closely monitor the treatment process and make necessary adjustments. During and after treatment, patients should take care to move their heads in a controlled manner. In this context, avoiding sudden movements and following dietary recommendations positively affect the course of treatment and accelerate recovery.
Why Should Vertigo Exercises Not Be Performed at Home?
One of the situations clinicians are most concerned about is patients attempting to assess their own dizziness at home. The risk of incorrect application increases due to individual errors. This may lead to consequences such as worsening of the existing condition or the development of additional variants. Furthermore, by the time the patient attends the clinic, the process may have been delayed and the condition may have become more complex, which may prolong treatment. Exercises performed without professional supervision may further worsen the person’s health condition. Therefore, individuals experiencing vertigo are advised to avoid performing exercises on their own at home and to carry them out only as recommended by the clinician and for the prescribed duration. Such conditions are among the health problems that require professional guidance.
Why Are the Best Doctors / Departments for Vertigo Treatment in Türkiye?
Neurology and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) departments specializing in vertigo treatment in Türkiye stand out with their advanced diagnostic methods and multidisciplinary approaches. Experienced physicians offer personalized treatment plans directed at the underlying cause of the condition. In addition, balance tests and rehabilitation programs performed with modern devices increase treatment success. Türkiye’s healthcare infrastructure and accessible services make it a preferred destination in this field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Türkiye is one of the countries frequently preferred for vertigo diagnosis and treatment thanks to its ear, nose, and throat specialists, audiologists, and multidisciplinary balance centers. Advanced diagnostic technologies and experienced teams support the treatment process.
People with vertigo complaints should first consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist. When necessary, a comprehensive evaluation may be planned together with different specialties such as audiology, neurology, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
Audiometry, audiological evaluation, v-HIT, VEMP, VNG, positional tests, and imaging methods when necessary may be used to determine the cause of vertigo. The selection of tests is based on the patient’s symptoms.
No. Vertigo treatment is planned according to the underlying cause. While positional maneuvers may be applied for BPPV, different treatment and follow-up approaches are preferred for Meniere’s disease, vestibular migraine, or other vestibular disorders.
Vestibular rehabilitation may be effective in long-lasting imbalance or balance disorders originating from the inner ear. A personalized exercise program prepared by an audiologist supports the improvement of balance functions.
Most vertigo patients do not require surgical treatment. However, in selected patients with Meniere’s disease or structural inner ear disorders, surgical options may be evaluated by a specialist team when other treatments are insufficient.
For accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment planning, it is important to choose experienced centers where vestibular tests can be performed and where an audiologist and an ear, nose, and throat specialist work together during the diagnosis and treatment process.
After treatment, the patient’s attack frequency, balance functions, and hearing status are evaluated through regular follow-up examinations. When necessary, hearing tests, vestibular tests, and the rehabilitation program may be revised.
If dizziness is accompanied by sudden hearing loss, speech impairment, double vision, changes in consciousness, severe headache, or weakness in the arms or legs, emergency medical evaluation should be sought without delay.
Early diagnosis allows the cause of vertigo to be identified more quickly and appropriate treatment to begin. Audiological evaluation, hearing tests, and vestibular examinations play an important role in preventing disease progression and improving quality of life.
Dr. Audiologist Emel Uğur was born in 1982 in Çanakkale. She specialized in Pediatric Audiology, Otologic Disorders, and Vestibular System Disorders, and served for 15 years at the Istanbul Training and Research Hospital. In 2015, she joined the Acıbadem Healthcare Group. She currently works as an Audiologist at the Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital and also serves as a faculty member and program director in the Acıbadem University Vocational School of Health Services Audiometry Program.
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