Feeling dizzy can be unsettling, especially when the cause isn’t clear. Although the sensations can seem similar, dizziness can start in different parts of the body.
An ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist looks closely at your symptoms to understand what’s causing them and how to treat them.
What is vertigo?
Vertigo is a type of dizziness that makes you feel as though you, or the space around you, is spinning. It is most often linked to a problem in the inner ear, which plays an important role in helping you keep your balance.
The inner ear contains tiny structures that send signals to the brain about movement and position. When these signals are disrupted, the brain receives mixed messages. That can lead to the spinning feeling people often describe with vertigo.
Common causes of inner ear vertigo include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) – where brief spinning happens when you move your head in certain ways
- Labyrinthitis – an inner ear infection that affects both balance and hearing
- Vestibular neuronitis – inflammation of the nerve that helps control balance
These conditions are usually short-term, but the symptoms can still feel intense.
What is neurological dizziness?
Neurological dizziness starts in the brain or nervous system rather than the ear.
Instead of describing a spinning feeling, people often talk about feeling light-headed, unsteady, or as though they are floating or disconnected.
This type of dizziness may be linked to conditions such as migraine, reduced blood flow to the brain or neurological conditions that affect balance.
The main difference is that neurological dizziness often reflects the way the brain processes balance signals, rather than a problem with the signals coming from the inner ear.
Key differences in symptoms
Although vertigo and neurological dizziness can feel similar at first, there are important distinctions.
Inner ear vertigo usually causes a clear spinning sensation. It may be triggered by movement, such as turning over in bed. It can also come with nausea or vomiting. Some people also notice symptoms such as ringing in the ears (known as tinnitus) or even hearing loss.
Neurological dizziness is more likely to continue without a clear or obvious trigger. It may happen alongside headaches, changes in vision or coordination problems. It doesn’t usually affect hearing.
Looking closely at the way symptoms appear can help an ENT specialist work out the cause more quickly.
How ENT specialists assess dizziness
When you come to an ENT clinic with dizziness, the first step is talking through your experience in detail. Your specialist will ask when the dizziness started, what it feels like from day to day, how long episodes last, and whether anything seems to bring it on or help it settle.
This conversation helps build a clearer picture of what may be causing your symptoms.
You’ll then have an examination, which may include looking at your ears, checking your eye movements and assessing your balance.
Depending on your symptoms, further tests may be recommended, such as:
- Balance testing to see how your body responds to movement
- Eye movement tests, which can give clues about inner ear function
- Hearing tests to see if there are any changes in your hearing
In some cases, your specialist will recommend an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan to look more closely at the brain and rule out neurological causes.
Rather than relying on a single test, your ENT specialist uses your history, examination and any test results together to make a diagnosis.
Treatment options for dizziness
Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your symptoms. Once a clear diagnosis has been made, your ENT specialist can recommend a targeted approach to help improve balance and reduce further episodes.
For inner ear conditions, treatment may include:
- Simple head movements, called repositioning manoeuvres, to ease the spinning sensation
- Guided exercises to help improve your balance
- Medication to ease symptoms such as nausea
If your specialist suspects a neurological cause, they may arrange further assessment or imaging to guide the next stage of your care.
In many cases, dizziness improves with the right support. Early diagnosis can make a significant difference to how quickly symptoms settle and how confident you feel in daily activities.
When to seek specialist advice
While short episodes of dizziness can settle on their own, it’s important to seek medical advice if you notice:
- Symptoms lasting more than a few weeks
- Increasing frequency or severity
- Hearing loss or persistent ringing in the ears
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
- Double vision, weakness or difficulty speaking
The importance of accurate diagnosis for dizziness
Dizziness can affect confidence, mobility and day-to-day life. Getting a clear diagnosis early helps ensure you receive the right treatment, from simple repositioning techniques for inner ear conditions to further investigation where needed.
If you’re living with ongoing or unexplained dizziness, you don’t have to manage it alone. At ENT Sheffield, Mr Wale Olarinde provides expert assessment and tailored care to help you feel steady again.
Book a consultation with ENT Sheffield today and take the first step towards understanding your symptoms.