Introduction and Scope Flashcards
Is vestibular part of the position statement for AAA?
Yes
Assessment, administration, and interpretation of clinical and electrophysiologic tests of equilibrium
Are audiologists also involved in rehab of persons with vestibular disorders according to AAA?
Yes
We participate as full members of the rehab team to recommend and carry out goals of vestibular rehab therapy
Includes habituation exercises, balance retraining exercises, and general conditioning exercises
Is balance included in the ASHA scope of practice too?
Yes
Is evaluating patients with dizziness difficult?
Yes
You will need to get a better idea of what that means, so many possibilities for what dizzy can mean
Can also come from numerous different sources
Need to also be able to evaluate visual and somatosensory systems
A lot of dizziness comes from some sort of mismatch of sensory information (sensory conflict)
What are the most frequently reported symptoms of vestibular disorders?
Dizziness
Unsteadiness or imbalance
Vertigo
Nausea
*they can be mild or severe, can also cause other symptoms
Can symptoms also be experienced in another system?
Yes
This is due to the fact that the vestibular system interacts with many other parts of the nervous system
Symptoms may be experienced as problems with vision, muscles, and thinking, and memory
What are other symptoms that people with vestibular disorders experience?
Headache and muscular aches in the neck and back
Increased tendency to suffer from motion sickness
Increases sensitivity to noise and bright lights
Do patients with vestibular disorders often report fatigue and loss of stamina?
Yes
As well as an inability to concentrate
Difficulty with reading and speech may occur during times of fatigue
*When these symptoms are constant and disabling, they may be accompanied by irritability, loss of self-esteem, and/or depression
In many cases, can the underlying cause of a vestibular disorder not be determined?
Yes
For example, Meniere’s disease is defined as “the idiopathic syndrome of endolymphatic hydrops”
Likewise, no underlying cause is ever found in about half of the people with BPPV
What are some things that we know causes vestibular disorders?
Head Trauma
Otitis Media
Bacterial labyrinthitis or vestibular neuronitis
Viral Labyrinthitis or vestibular neuronitis
Ototoxic medications
Ischemia
Vestibular schwanomma
What does the audiologic examination consist of for vestibular patients?
Audiometric Testing (pure tone thresholds, speech audiometry, immittance with reflexes)
Otoacoustic Emissions (sometimes)
Vestibular Exams (ENG/VNG, rotary chair, SVV, vHIT)
Postural Stability Exams
Auditory Evoked Responses (ECochG, ABR, VEMP)
*Inclusion of tests is based on case history
What is electronystagmography (ENG)?
A group or battery of eye movement tests that look for signs of vestibular dysfunction or neurological problems
ENG can measure more than just nystagmus (despite the name)
What is nystagmography (ENG/VNG)?
Can record other eye movements to evaluate some brain functions
ENG/VNG are probably the most common of the tests administered to people with dizziness, vertigo, and/or balance disorders
Is the test battery and methods standardized for vestibular patients?
No
What are rotation tests?
Through the same electrodes or goggles used for ENG tests, eye movements can be recorded while the head is moving at various speeds
Two forms: auto head rotation and rotary chair
