What to expect
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
Hearing and balance testing is covered under OHIP with a doctor's referral in most cases.
What should I bring?
Bring your health card. It's also helpful to bring a list of your current medications.
Are you going to make me dizzy?
We don't want to make you dizzy, but some testing may trigger your symptoms temporarily. Let us know if there's anything you're not comfortable with — we'll work around it.
How long is my appointment?
Dizziness testing can take up to 90 minutes. Hearing tests take about 30 minutes. You may be asked to return if we can't complete everything in one visit.
What is an audiologist?
Audiology is the branch of healthcare focused on hearing, balance, and related disorders. Audiologists are university-trained (minimum Master's level) and perform clinical tests to determine the nature and degree of a person's hearing and balance status. When a problem is identified, an audiologist provides recommendations and management strategies — including hearing aids, communication strategies, maneuvers to relieve balance issues, and appropriate medical referrals.
What does balance testing involve?
No balance beams or feats of strength. These tests require no physical exertion beyond sitting and lying down. Be prepared to:
- Describe your symptoms
- Look at moving and stationary targets
- Move from sitting to reclined position
- Tolerate brief illusions of movement
- Keep your eyes open during some tests
- Listen to quiet and loud sounds
What are the inner ear and vestibular organs?
Deep inside your head is a fluid-filled organ encased in bone: the inner ear. We associate the ear with hearing, but hearing is only a part of the story. The ear also includes vestibular organs that detect angular (nodding, turning) and linear (accelerating in a car, riding an elevator) motion. They're closely connected to the eyes and muscles, helping you keep your eyes on a target while moving, or catching yourself when you slip. Scientists believe it was probably the first sense animals developed: before we could see, hear, taste or touch, we knew our place, and we knew the Earth.
Why are you testing my hearing?
The hearing and balance organs are roommates. When disease or infection affects the inner ear, both hearing and vestibular function can be involved — sometimes in ways that are only measurable with a diagnostic hearing test. Hearing results are critical to reaching the right diagnosis.
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is an illusion: a sensation of movement that isn't actually happening. It's often described as spinning, but can also feel like floating, swaying, or falling. Many people find it difficult to put into words. Vertigo is a symptom, not a diagnosis.
What is a vestibular disorder?
The vestibular system includes the sensors in your ears that measure movement, as well as the parts of the brain that process and integrate these signals with others. A vestibular disorder is any condition that interferes with this process, whether at the level of the ear or further on in the brain. As debilitating as vestibular disorders can be, they're often invisible to others.