Vestibular Testing

90 Million Americans will experience dizziness or balance problems sometime in their lives. Dizziness or balance problems are the leading causes of falls in people over 65.

Falling and its resulting injuries are an important public health problem for older adults. The National Safety Council estimates that persons over the age of 65 have the highest mortality rate (death rate) from injuries. Among older adults, injuries cause more deaths than either pneumonia or diabetes. Falls account for about one-half of the deaths due to injury in the elderly.

Several epidemiological studies have looked at the rate of falls in the elderly at home, in outpatient settings and institutions. Among 65 year-old women nearly one in three (30 percent) will fall; after age 85, over half of women will suffer a fall. For men, the proportion who fall increases from 13 percent in the 65 to 69 age group to a peak of 31 percent in the 80- to 84-year age group. For those over the age of 85 there is a slight decrease. It appears that for the elderly living at home one-third to one-half tend to fall or do fall. Those who are more aged, female, single, divorced or widowed have an increased rate of falling.

If you or a family member have experienced dizziness or balance problems, please consider a vestibular and equilibrium evaluation. Contact us today with your questions or to schedule an appointment.