Hearing Healthcare Service

Vestibular & Balance Testing

Your Journey to a Fulfilling Life

Comprehensive vestibular assessments for adults in Braddon. For vestibular GP referral mandatory for Medicare refund

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Hearing Test

Hearing Test

Personalised Hearing Tests for All Ages and Needs.

Wondering If It’s Time for a Balance Assessment?

Dizziness and balance problems don’t always have an obvious cause — and they’re rarely just “one of those things.” If left unassessed, vestibular disorders can affect your confidence, independence, and safety.

If any of these sound familiar, a balance assessment may be right for you:

  • Frequent dizziness, spinning sensations, or vertigo

  • Feeling unsteady on your feet or losing your balance unexpectedly

  • Blurred or jumpy vision when moving your head

  • Nausea, motion sickness, or sensitivity to movement

  • A ringing or fullness in the ear alongside dizziness

  • Dizziness that worsens with head or body position changes

  • Increased risk of falls, especially in low-light conditions

These symptoms are more common than people realise — and they often have a treatable cause. A professional vestibular assessment can uncover what’s driving your symptoms and help you take the next step toward stability and confidence.

What Is the Vestibular System?

Your vestibular system, located in the inner ear, is responsible for your sense of balance, spatial orientation, and gaze stability. When this system is disrupted — by infection, injury, degeneration, or other causes — everyday activities like walking, driving, or even sitting still can feel overwhelming.

At Candid Hearing, our audiologists are trained to evaluate the vestibular system using a suite of clinically validated, non-invasive tests. Our assessments help distinguish between different types of balance disorders, so you get answers quickly and accurately.

Why Choose a Qualified Audiologist for Balance Testing?

At Candid Hearing, we go beyond a basic balance check. As independent audiologists, we offer comprehensive vestibular assessments that support accurate diagnosis and targeted management.

When you book a vestibular assessment with us, you’ll receive:

  • A thorough, clinically backed evaluation of your inner ear balance function

  • Expert interpretation of your results in plain language

  • Personalised recommendations — whether that means vestibular rehabilitation, lifestyle guidance, or referral to your GP, ENT, or neurologist

  • Early identification of conditions such as BPPV, Menière’s disease, or vestibular neuritis

  • A written report available for your referring practitioner

Our assessments are tailored to your history, symptoms, and health goals — because no two cases of dizziness are the same.

Our Vestibular Test

Video Nystagmography (VNG)

VNG is the cornerstone of vestibular assessment. Using infrared camera goggles, we track involuntary eye movements (nystagmus) that reveal how well your inner ear balance system and brain are communicating.

What it assesses:

  • Spontaneous and gaze-evoked nystagmus
  • Smooth pursuit and saccadic eye movements
  • Positional testing (Dix-Hallpike, supine roll)
  • Optokinetic responses
  • Head-shaking and hyperventilation-induced nystagmus

This non-invasive test helps differentiate between peripheral (inner ear) and central (brain) causes of dizziness.

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Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT)

The vHIT evaluates how well each of your six semicircular canals is functioning — the tiny fluid-filled channels in your inner ear that detect head movement.

What it assesses:

  • High-frequency vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) of all six canals
  • Canal-specific weakness or asymmetry
  • Presence of corrective saccades (a sign of vestibular loss)

Fast, comfortable, and highly informative — vHIT is especially useful for detecting vestibular neuritis and identifying which side is affected.

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Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV)

The SVV test evaluates your perception of “what is straight” — a function controlled by the otolith organs in the inner ear. It is particularly useful for detecting utricular dysfunction.

What it assesses:

  • Otolith (gravity-sensing) organ function
  • Side of vestibular insult in acute disorders
  • Compensation following vestibular damage
  • Chronic dizziness and imbalance of otolithic origin
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How to Prepare for Your Vestibular Assessment

  • Avoid Alcohol

    Do not consume alcohol for at least 48 hours before your test. Alcohol affects the inner ear and eye movement, which can distort results.

  • Bring a Support Person

    Please arrange for someone to accompany you. Some tests may temporarily provoke dizziness or disorientation, and you may not feel comfortable driving home afterwards.

  • Check Your Medications

    Inform us of all medications you are currently taking. Some medications — including antihistamines, sedatives, anti-nausea tablets, and vestibular suppressants — can suppress inner ear responses and affect test accuracy. Your audiologist may advise pausing certain medications (only with your GP’s approval).

  • Avoid Caffeine

    Avoid coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other caffeinated beverages for at least 24–48 hours before your appointment, as caffeine can overstimulate the nervous system and interfere with eye movement recordings.

  • Eat a Light Meal Beforehand

    Have a small, light meal 2–3 hours before your test. Arriving on an empty stomach can increase nausea during positional testing. Avoid heavy or greasy meals on the day.

  • No Eye Makeup

    If you are having VNG (Video Nystagmography) testing, please avoid wearing mascara, eyeliner, or eye shadow. Makeup can interfere with the infrared camera tracking your eye movements.

  • Bring Your Glasses or Contacts Information

    If you wear glasses or contact lenses, let us know in advance. You may be asked to remove contacts for certain tests. Bring your glasses prescription details if available.

  • Wear Comfortable Clothing

    Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Some tests involve lying down, tilting, and changing positions. Avoid wearing tight neckwear or restrictive clothing around the collar.

  • Allow Extra Time

    Your vestibular assessment is thorough and typically takes 60–90 minutes. Please don’t rush. Plan to rest after your appointment if needed.

  • Bring Your Medical History

    Carry any relevant documents including your GP referral, previous hearing test results, imaging reports (MRI/CT), and a list of current medications and supplements.