Dizziness misdiagnosis is one of the most common medical complaints, but also one of the most misunderstood. Many patients spend months — or even years — seeing multiple providers before finally getting an accurate diagnosis.
At Novasound Hearing & Balance Center, we see this pattern often. The good news? With the right assessment, most dizziness disorders can be correctly identified and treated.
In this article, we explain why dizziness is misdiagnosed, the red flags to watch for, and how specialized vestibular testing can finally give you answers.
⭐ Why Is Dizziness So Difficult to Diagnose?
1. “Dizziness” Can Mean Many Different Things
People use the same word to describe:
- Spinning (vertigo)
- Light-headedness
- Imbalance
- Rocking/floating sensations
- Motion sensitivity
- Visual-motion triggering
Each sensation points to a different underlying problem — vestibular, neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic, or even anxiety-related.
2. Most Primary-Care Offices Lack Vestibular Testing
A basic exam often cannot identify:
- Inner-ear asymmetry
- Vestibulo-ocular reflex issues
- Positional vertigo
- Visual/ocular triggers
- Post-concussion changes
This leads to:
- ❌ Dizziness misdiagnosis
- ❌ “Normal” results despite ongoing symptoms
- ❌ Delayed referral for specialized testing
3. Symptoms Overlap Between Conditions
Dizziness from:
- Vestibular migraine
- BPPV
- PPPD
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Vestibular hypofunction
may look similar — unless a full vestibular assessment is completed.
4. Anxiety and Dizziness Feed Into Each Other
Many patients are told “it’s just anxiety.” But vestibular disorders can trigger anxiety, not the other way around.
Research shows that up to 70% of chronic dizziness patients have an undiagnosed vestibular problem.
⭐ Common Conditions That Often Get Missed
- Vestibular migraine
- Superior canal dehiscence (SCD)
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Unilateral vestibular hypofunction
- Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
- Post-concussion vestibular involvement
Many of these require VNG, oVEMP/cVEMP, or gaze testing — tools not available in general clinics.
⭐ When Should You Seek a Vestibular Assessment?
You should get tested if you experience:
- Dizziness when turning your head
- Spinning when lying down or rolling over
- Feeling “off” in grocery stores or busy places
- Worsening symptoms with screens or visual motion
- Post-concussion dizziness lasting > 2–4 weeks
- Unsteady walking or sudden imbalance
- Sound- or pressure-triggered dizziness
These are hallmark signs of vestibular involvement.
⭐ How Novasound Can Help
At Novasound Hearing & Balance Center, we provide one of the most complete vestibular evaluations in Atlantic Canada, including:
- VNG
- oVEMP / cVEMP testing
- Dix-Hallpike & positional testing
- Caloric asymmetry analysis
- Visual motion sensitivity assessment
- Post-concussion auditory-vestibular screening
Our reports include:
- ✔ Clear diagnosis
- ✔ Evidence-based treatment plan
- ✔ Recommendations for physiotherapy, neurology, or ENT as needed
⭐ When to See an ENT or Neurologist
- Sudden hearing loss
- Facial weakness
- Severe headaches with dizziness
- Suspected SCD or Meniere’s disease
- Abnormal neurological findings
Otherwise, many dizziness cases are successfully managed with:
- Vestibular rehab
- Migraine management
- Lifestyle modification
- Sensory reintegration strategies
⭐ Final Thoughts
Dizziness is frustrating — but you don’t have to live with it. With the right diagnostic tools, most balance disorders can be identified, explained, and treated.
If you’ve been told “everything looks normal” but you still feel dizzy, it’s time for a deeper evaluation.
📞 Book your vestibular assessment
NovaSound Hearing & Balance Center
902-444-7788 | novasound.ca
