For as long as she can remember, Elif had been an active and independent person. But a severe vertigo attack changed everything. Although the intense episode eventually passed, a lingering dizziness remained, becoming a constant presence in her daily life.
“I would wake up in the mornings often feeling very dizzy,” Elif explains. “It didn’t make me stumble or fall, but it created an uncomfortable feeling with movement and a sense of nausea. Even simple tasks like putting away the laundry became a difficult task. From time to time, more severe episodes forced me to return home and lie down until the symptoms eased.”
Balance Clinic Referral
Referred to Harley Street Hearing by an ENT specialist, Elif went to Harley Street Hearing’s balance clinic for help with her ongoing balance and dizziness. She admits that she had been nervous about undergoing vertigo testing.“I’d heard horror stories about the assessment,” she says. “People said they left feeling even dizzier than before, so I postponed my own assessment three times because I was scared of how I might feel afterwards.”
When she finally met clinical lead George Dashfield, her worries began to fade. “George was absolutely amazing. He explained everything in detail at every step of the process, which really helped calm my nerves. The assessment itself was very comprehensive—about three hours long—and it covered everything from my hearing to how my body reacted to sound and balance.” The assessment included several tests designed to measure how well the balance organ in each ear was functioning and to identify any significant differences between them. These tests sometimes involved specific head movements, sounds presented to the ears, or changes in ear temperature.
After the assessment, George was able to clearly show Elif the numerical difference between her ears: her right ear had a 26% reduction in balance function compared to her left ear. He also explained the cause of her vertigo. “Elif experienced an episode of suspected vestibular neuritis, which caused permanent damage to the function of her right balance organ,” George explains.
With just a few sessions of vestibular rehabilitation, Elif’s vertigo completely disappeared. “This type of rehabilitation promotes something called compensation, where repeated head movements expose the brain to the changed signals from the inner ear, allowing it to learn and adapt,” says George.
Elif was relieved. “I honestly never thought it would be possible to get rid of vertigo; I always believed it was something I would have to live with. But now it’s gone. It’s been the most amazing experience,” she says.
Even today, Elif has the tools to manage any occasional dizziness. “Sometimes something might trigger a bit of imbalance, but when that happens, I go back to my exercises and everything soon feels normal again. Knowing I can manage it has given me confidence and peace of mind in my daily life.”
Her advice to anyone experiencing hearing or balance difficulties is simple: “Just go for it.”
Thanks to George’s guidance and the support of Harley Street Hearing, Elif has reclaimed control over her life and her confidence, enjoying each day without the constant shadow of dizziness.
If you would like to find out more about how we can help your dizziness, contact us.
