5 N Maple Avenue, Suite 100, La Plata, Maryland 20646
410-696-3669 ph
410-695-3769 fax
Balance Services
Balance Diagnostics for All Ages
Dizziness and imbalance know no age limit. Proper evaluation of the vestibular system can provide invaluable information for therapy and management of numerous vestibular disorders.
Benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV) of infancy is a disorder of the vestibular system that manifests in young children 7 years of age or younger. If left undiagnosed and untreated, this disorder can lead to delay in milestones.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that dizziness and vertigo is the top complaint among individuals aged 65 and older. A common issue called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) affects half of the population over the age of 70 and is three times more common in people who experience migraines. Once properly diagnosed, BPPV can be treated in our office using canalith repositioning maneuvers.
Though it is one of the most common complaints, dizziness is one of the most difficult symptoms for a patient to describe and a physician to treat. Rocket Hearing & Balance provides thoughtful end-to-end care, beginning with thorough case history and progressing to referral to trusted area providers and in-house therapy when possible.
To learn more about dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance, click here.
To self-evaluate your dizziness and/or balance, click here.
Concussion Care
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 20 million people incur concussion, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), or head trauma as a result of sports injury, falls, car accidents, and blunt force trauma every year. Post-concussion syndrome is a complex disorder that can last for weeks or months after a concussion has occurred. Concussion-related headaches, fogginess, dizziness, imbalance, and/or blurred vision can make it difficult for a person to participate in activities of daily living.
Regardless of modern safety measures, the most at-risk group of individuals for concussion are high school athletes.
To learn more about ongoing research and recommendations about head injuries and concussion, click here.
If you have recently experienced a head injury and want to self-evaluate for concussion, click here.
Falls-Risk Management
Ninety million Americans seek medical help for dizziness, vertigo, or falls every year. Falls-risk and loss of independence is recognized as the top concern for older adults.
Risk factors for falls are classified as either intrinsic (originating inside the body) or extrinsic (environmental factors). Intrinsic factors include hearing loss, previous history of falls, muscle weakness, balance problems, poor vision, and fear of falling. Extrinsic factors include lack of handrails or grab bars, dim lighting, tripping hazards, slippery or uneven surfaces, improper use of assistive devices, and medication usage. One of the most interesting factors is incidence of hearing loss as a contributor to falls. Falls and falls-related injury are the leading cause of accidental death of individuals 65 years of age or older.
However--falls are NOT an inevitable part of aging. By identifying individuals at risk for falls, identifying modifiable risk factors, and offering effective interventions, healthcare providers can reduce a patient’s risk of falling. Compared to younger individuals, dizziness in older folks is not only more common, but more persistent, has more causes, is less likely to be due to a psychological cause, and is more incapacitating. Incredibly, fear of falling can also increase the likelihood that a person experiences a fall.
To learn more about falls, falls-related injuries, and safety precautions, click here.