Dizziness & Balance

Often, yes. BPPV is one of the most treatable causes of vertigo because it has a clear mechanism — displaced inner-ear crystals — and a clear fix. After confirming the diagnosis with positional testing, your audiologist performs a canalith repositioning maneuver (the Epley maneuver is the most common) right in the office. Many patients feel significant relief immediately or within a day or two.

Some patients need a follow-up maneuver if symptoms persist or recur. Our Friendswood vestibular team will also walk you through home maneuvers and post-treatment precautions so you can manage any future episodes confidently. BPPV recurrence is common, but each recurrence is just as treatable as the first.

Vestibular testing is comprehensive but completely non-invasive. A typical evaluation at our Friendswood clinic may include videonystagmography (VNG) using infrared goggles to track eye movement during specific head positions and visual targets, video Head Impulse Testing (vHIT), positional testing for BPPV, and a balance assessment to evaluate how your vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems work together.

The full battery usually takes 60 to 90 minutes. You may be asked to skip caffeine, alcohol, and certain medications beforehand — your audiologist will give you specific instructions when scheduling. Results pinpoint whether the issue is peripheral (inner ear) or central (brain), which type of vestibular dysfunction is present, and what treatment is most likely to help.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a structured exercise program that helps your brain compensate for vestibular dysfunction by retraining how it integrates inner-ear, visual, and proprioceptive information. It is typically used for patients with persistent unsteadiness, vestibular neuritis recovery, post-concussion balance issues, chronic dizziness, and unilateral vestibular weakness.

At Autumn Oak in Friendswood, your audiologist designs a personalized VRT program based on your test results and symptom pattern. Exercises may include gaze stabilization, balance training, habituation drills, and walking tasks that progress in difficulty over time. Most patients see steady improvement over four to eight weeks of consistent practice — both in the clinic and at home — with significant gains in confidence and stability.