Vestibular Patient Experience During Audiological Testing

ICU - "I See You" - Vestibular Conversations

Audiological testing can be an important step in helping doctors determine whether the inner ear is the source of a patient’s dizziness. However, if you’ve ever talked with someone who has been through the gamut of tests - it’s not exactly a picnic in the park. Many patients - already ill from symptoms and fearful of tests that can exacerbate them - are anxious about their first audiologist appointment.
This episode of the ICU - "I See You" podcast covers the topic of audiological testing and the experience of vestibular patients who undergo these tests. Guests Jesus Gomez, audiologist and PhD student, joins the discussion to listen to the experiences of vestibular patient Karen Mizrach. Listen now to this thoughtful and vulnerable discussion about addressing challenges and anxieties that a vestibular patient faces going into, during, and after audiological testing.
About the guests:
In December of 2017, Karen woke up in the middle of the night with vertigo. After many doctor visits, tests, and treatments, the dizziness and off-balance sensations continued and it has become a chronic condition. Finally, she saw a neurologist who recognized her symptoms as Vestibular Migraine and Cervicogenic Dizziness, and this year PPPD was added to her list of conditions. The most challenging part of these disorders has been the isolation. Karen is divorced with grown children who don’t live close by. Living alone and having to quit her job teaching made this challenge all the more difficult. Finding VeDA was a game-changer! She now feels connected to people who understand and are supportive. Karen has become a VeDA volunteer to give back to the community that has made a difference in her life.
Jesus Gomez is an audiologist and first-year Ph.D. student in the vestibular sciences lab at James Madison University. He received his B.S in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Virginia and Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Tennessee, where his interest in vestibular science began under the direction of Dr. Steven Doettl and strengthened during his 4th-year externship at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Julie Honaker. His interests are in electrophysiology and vestibular sciences, where he is currently under the mentorship of Drs. Erin Piker and Chris Clinard. His overarching goal is to become a bilingual clinician scientist serving both Spanish and English speaking populations.
Hosts:
Cynthia Ryan, Executive Director of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) https://vestibular.org/
Kimberly Warner, Founder and Director of Unfixed Media https://unfixedmedia.com/
This podcast is a co-production of the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) and Unfixed Media.
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If you are experiencing vertigo, tinnitus, dizziness, imbalance, brain fog, or other balance related symptoms, VeDA may be able to help. To learn more about vestibular conditions and get help finding a diagnosis, treatment, coping tools, and support visit https://vestibular.org/
For help finding a vestibular healthcare provider visit https://vestibular.org/healthcare-directory/
If you are a vestibular healthcare professional and want to reach more patients, join VeDA's Healthcare Provider Directory by becoming a member at https://vestibular.org/ar