Symptoms
Spinning, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, motion sensitivity, nausea, or falls.
Hearing conditions
Balance and dizziness
A broad group of symptoms that can involve the inner ear, nervous system, medications, or other causes.
Causes
Inner-ear conditions, migraine, medications, blood pressure changes, neurologic conditions, vision changes, and other causes.
Risk factors
Older age, medication changes, migraine, prior inner-ear conditions, dehydration, and neurologic or cardiovascular history.
Testing
Assessment may include a medical history, physical examination, hearing tests, balance testing, and other targeted studies.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause and may include medication review, vestibular rehabilitation, repositioning maneuvers, or specialist care.
When to seek medical attention
Call emergency services for dizziness with facial droop, weakness, trouble speaking, severe headache, chest pain, fainting, or new inability to walk. Seek prompt care for persistent or severe symptoms.
Which professional can help?
A primary-care clinician or urgent-care clinician can begin evaluation. ENT, neurology, cardiology, physical therapy, and audiology may be involved depending on the cause.
Find a hearing-care professionalThis guide is educational and is not a diagnosis. A qualified clinician can help you understand symptoms in the context of your personal health history.