About
Us
At least half of the overall
U.S. population is affected by a balance
or vestibular disorder sometime during
their lives. Of all falls suffered by
the elderly, 50% are the result of vestibular
problems.
Dizziness still is most
commonly dealt with by primary care physicians.
Once your physician has ruled out more
serious conditions such as strokes or
certain heart problems, an appropriate
treatment plan can be developed using
the Hearing and Balance Center's diagnostic
and treatment services.
The Hearing & Balance
Center at Affiliated Community Medical
Centers is a multidisciplinary program
for the diagnosis and treatment of dizziness
and imbalance disorders which may arise
from the central or peripheral vestibular
systems. The peripheral vestibular system
is a portion of the inner ear involved
in the maintenance of balance and gaze
stability. The central vestibular system
is located in the cerebellum or main
balance center of the brain.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
to Treat Dizziness and Imbalance Disorders
ACMC’s Hearing & Balance
Center utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach
to diagnosing and treating dizziness
and balance disorders. The specialties
of otolaryngology (ENT), audiology and
physical therapy have joined forces to
determine the patient’s source
of the dizziness or balance problem,
and then develop the best treatment plan.
Their comprehensive, coordinated care,
the most sophisticated diagnostic
testing technology, and the fact
that patient’s can now have treatment
close to home makes the program unique
for West Central and Southwest Minnesota.
A Growing
Need in West Central and Southwest
Minnesota
There was a clear need for a multidisciplinary diagnostic testing
and treatment of dizziness and imbalance in this area. Our patients
were having to travel to the Twin Cities for vestibular testing
before now. This is a struggle for them as they frequently can’t
drive and are suffering with nausea and vertigo. Patients will
often choose to defer the testing to avoid the drive,” said
Tamara Kobienia, physical therapist at ACMC's Hearing Balance Center
with a focused practice in vestibular rehabilitation.
The Most Sophisticated Diagnostic
Testing Technology
There are an array of diagnostic and
treatment resources today that can only
be found to treat dizziness disorders.
They offer the latest in testing for
the vestibular system including electronystagmography
(ENG) and Computerized Dynamic Posturography
(CDP). In a large percentage of cases,
imbalance and dizziness is caused by
the vestibular system, or inner ear.
Vestibular rehabilitation is the treatment
of imbalance and dizziness. Individualized
exercise programs, developed by a physical
therapist trained in vestibular rehabilitation,
are tailored to the patient’s needs,
based on the diagnostic test results.
It is necessary that you complete the
necessary forms and
bring them to your first visit to the
Hearing & Balance Center.
For more
information on the Hearing & Balance
Center, call us at
(320) 214-6997.
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