Vestibular disorders are rarely simple. Many people who live with dizziness or vertigo eventually discover that their symptoms are connected not to a single condition, but to several overlapping diagnoses. This complex reality was the focus of a session at the Vestibular Disorders Association’s Life Rebalanced Live virtual conference titled “When Conditions Overlap: PPPD, Vestibular Migraine, and Other Comorbidities.” The session brought together neurologists, Dr. Shin Beh and Dr. Kristen Steenerson, for a discussion about diagnosis and treatment, followed by a patient panel with Kayla McCain and Judi Rosenthal, who shared personal experiences navigating multiple conditions. Together, the conversation highlighted both the medical complexity of vestibular disorders and the lived experience of managing them.  Why Vestibular Conditions Often Occur Together One of the most important points raised during the discussion is that vestibular conditions frequently overlap. Patients diagnosed with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) often also experience vestibular migraine, and conditions […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Apr 13 2026 15:00    View Full Story...

Summary  Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction or Loss (BVH or BVL) makes it hard for people to keep their balance, especially when walking in the dark or on uneven ground. It can also cause problems with seeing clearly when they move their heads. This means they might be more likely to fall, feel dizzy, or have balance problems, which can affect their overall health. While there are different ways to treat this condition, many patients may still have symptoms even after treatment. Background When someone loses balance control in both inner ears (a condition called bilateral vestibular hypofunction), they find it hard to walk steadily, especially in the dark or on uneven ground. This can make them feel really off-balance and cause weird sensations in their heads when they move. As a result, people might avoid activities and feel isolated. Another concern is oscillopsia, a condition characterized by blurred vision when moving […]

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VEDA - Published Sat Apr 11 2026 01:25    View Full Story...

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is one of the most important tools available to help people recover from dizziness, vertigo, and balance disorders. During the Life Rebalanced Live session “VRT: Neuroplasticity & Exercises that Connect it to Everyday Life,” clinicians and patients explored how this specialized therapy works—and why recovery often requires patience, persistence, and a personalized approach.  The session included an interview with vestibular rehabilitation specialists followed by a patient panel discussion. Together, these perspectives highlighted both the science behind VRT and the real-life experiences of people navigating vestibular recovery. Neuroplasticity: The Brain’s Ability to Adapt At the core of vestibular rehabilitation therapy is neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections through experience and practice. When the balance system is disrupted—due to injury, illness, or structural changes—the brain must learn to reinterpret signals coming from the inner ear, eyes, and body. VRT uses targeted movements and exercises […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Apr 6 2026 15:00    View Full Story...

Guest post by Cherika Gadson, MS, APRN, NP-C, vestibular patient Vestibular disorders are often described as “invisible illnesses.” While that label is accurate, it can also shape how we respond to our own symptoms in ways that quietly work against our healing. For a long time, I didn’t speak up about what I was experiencing. Not because the symptoms weren’t there, but because I looked fine. And when you look fine, there is an unspoken expectation to function as if nothing is wrong. So I stayed quiet. I didn’t say, “I feel dizzy.” I didn’t say, “I need a break.” I didn’t say, “I’ve reached my limit.” Instead, I pushed through. At the time, it felt like resilience. In reality, it was contributing to my symptoms. The Internal Conflict Part of that silence was rooted in something deeper. I was grieving the version of myself that didn’t have to think […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Apr 3 2026 01:09    View Full Story...

For many people living with vestibular disorders, the physical symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, and imbalance are only part of the story. The emotional and psychological impact can be just as significant. At the Life Rebalanced Live virtual conference, a session titled “The Trauma of Being Dizzy: Addressing Fear, Avoidance & Emotional Injury” explored how chronic dizziness can affect mental health, relationships, and daily life. The session unfolded in two parts. First, mental health professionals Dr. Joanna Wolfson, a psychologist, and Jen Warner, a licensed clinical social worker, discussed how vestibular disorders can trigger trauma responses and why addressing emotional health is an important part of recovery. In the second half, vestibular patients Careen Hanouche and Teena Hittie shared their personal experiences navigating fear, setbacks, and the path toward healing. Together, their insights highlighted how dizziness can affect both the body and the mind—and why recovery often involves addressing both. When […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Mar 30 2026 15:00    View Full Story...

If you’ve been told you have impacted earwax and are experiencing dizziness or vertigo, you’re not alone in wondering what to do next. It can feel confusing—especially if your symptoms have already started to improve. Should you leave it alone? Could removing the wax make things worse? Let’s walk through what we know and what it means for you. Can impacted earwax really cause dizziness? Yes—impacted earwax (also called cerumen impaction) can contribute to dizziness or vertigo in some cases. Earwax is normally helpful. It protects your ear by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria. But when too much wax builds up or becomes hardened, it can block the ear canal. When that happens, symptoms may include: Dizziness A feeling of fullness in the ear Hearing loss Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)  The reason this can affect balance is that your ears play a critical role in helping […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Mar 27 2026 01:00    View Full Story...

This is an excerpt from the book, “Professionally Unstable: Tales of Treating the Desperately Dizzy” by Dr. Anthony Veglia, DPT.  Awaiting me in the lobby was a middle-aged man, monotone in voice, flat in affect, and hard of hearing. With his diagnosis, I knew that I would be just a single step in his long journey. Years prior to this man’s entrance into my clinic, a tumor was found in his skull. For those with undiagnosed dizziness, the fear of an unknown brain tumor is a worry that I am constantly hearing from patients. Fortunately, a tumor being the cause of chronic dizziness is so much rarer than a straightforward vestibular diagnosis. That being said, this would be the exact type of tumor they are likely imagining. Unlike many vestibular diagnoses, a slow-growing, benign tumor will not appear with sudden, explosive levels of symptoms.  “So, it was a left acoustic […]

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VEDA - Published Wed Mar 25 2026 19:34    View Full Story...

For many people, developing a vestibular disorder can feel like their life has been turned upside down. Symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, brain fog, and imbalance can affect work, relationships, daily routines, and even a person’s sense of identity. It’s common for patients to spend months—or years—searching for answers, navigating medical appointments, and trying to understand what is happening to their bodies. But as speakers emphasized during the Life Rebalanced Live virtual conference session titled “You Are Not Your Diagnosis: Living Well with Chronic Vestibular Conditions,” a diagnosis does not define a person’s future. Living well with a vestibular condition is not only possible—it begins with shifting how we understand symptoms, identity, and recovery. The session featured vestibular physical therapists and health coaches Dr. Kathleen Stross and Dr. Megan Daly, followed by a patient panel with Adam Lindo, who lives with vestibular neuritis, and Lara Bishop, who lives with vestibular […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Mar 23 2026 14:00    View Full Story...

When people think about a stroke, many imagine sudden paralysis, facial drooping, and/or trouble speaking. However, other symptoms are often experienced and problematic — persistent vertigo and dizziness. These sensations are described as spinning (of the person or the environment), imbalance, or lightheadedness, and can linger for months or even years. This study demonstrates that vertigo and dizziness are common after stroke, have a negative effect on daily living, and are not specifically addressed by current stroke care.  Why This Study Was Done Stroke survivors often have lingering symptoms that make life harder, even after doctors have treated the immediate medical emergency. Researchers indicate that long-term quality of life after stroke can be lower than expected, and that most post-stroke care focuses on things like physical weakness or language problems. Vertigo and dizziness — which are subjective symptoms that people report themselves — haven’t been systematically studied in large groups […]

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VEDA - Published Fri Mar 20 2026 00:21    View Full Story...

At the 2026 Life Rebalanced Live virtual conference, the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) opened the week with an important conversation about innovation in vestibular care. The session, Hope in Innovation: Emerging Therapies for Chronic Dizziness, explored how research, technology, and patient experience are shaping the future for people living with dizziness and balance disorders. The discussion featured two vestibular experts—Dr. Sue Whitney, DPT, PhD, and Dr. David Hale, MD—followed by a patient panel with Neil Canham and Alicia Wolf, also known as The Dizzy Cook. Together, they highlighted the promise of new ideas in the field while emphasizing the importance of evaluating emerging therapies carefully and thoughtfully. Innovation Is More Than New Technology When people think about innovation in medicine, they often imagine new devices or medications. But the speakers emphasized that innovation in vestibular care goes far beyond technology. Dr. Hale described innovation as new ways of approaching diagnosis, […]

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VEDA - Published Mon Mar 16 2026 22:40    View Full Story...