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The Dizziness and Balance Center

The Dizziness and Balance Center is a conjoint service of the Departments of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (Oto-HNS), Neurology, Neurological Surgery, and Rehabilitation Medicine.

Its Purpose:

  • Serve as an intake service into the medical center for patients with complaints of dizziness and imbalance.

  • Provide state of the art diagnostic testing using the Vestibular Diagnostic Laboratory.

  • Coordinate multidisciplinary care.

Facilities

The Center is currently under the Direction of Dr. James Phillips, who is a Vestibular Neurophysiologist.

 

The center is the site of practice of five otology specialists (one otologist, three neurotologists, and an advanced registered nurse practitioner who specializes in the treatment of otologic diseases).  In addition, there are audiologists, physical therapists and technicians who perform critical assessments and execute treatment plans to facilitate the care of patients with balance disorders.  

The Center’s Physical Facilities Include:​

  • The Otology Clinic and Treatment Facilities in Rehabilitation Medicine

  • The Vestibular Diagnostic Laboratory

  • Vestibular Research Laboratories

Research and Teaching

In addition to providing expert diagnosis and management of patients with vestibular disorders, the Center has a special mandate to contribute to advancing the clinical and basic science of the vestibular system. Although current diagnostic methods are good, there is still a large gap in the sensitivity and specificity of existing test batteries. Our knowledge of the vestibular system is expanding rapidly, and with that basic knowledge comes new opportunities for novel therapies. Developing new tests, evaluating their effectiveness, and applying new knowledge to patient care are a vital part of the Center’s responsibility. This is in keeping with the reputation of the University of Washington School of Medicine as one of the premiere teaching and research institutions in the United States.

Conferences:

The Center conducts a multidisciplinary monthly conference for case review and coordination of patient care that is attended by representatives from the sponsoring departments, including Oto-HNS, Neurology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Ophthalmology, and clinicians in private practice in the community. This is a working staffing conference in which problem cases are reviewed and joint treatment plans are instituted. The conference also features a mini-lecture program under the aegis of Dr. Phillips for basic education in vestibular disorders and treatment.

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Current Research:

  • Dr. James Phillips is conducting research to develop a treatment for mal de debarquement using a novel virtual reality paradigm. Mal de debarquement is a lasting false sense of motion that occurs following travel on a moving vehicle, most often a boat. There are no current, reliable treatments for mal de debarquement available today.

  • Dr. Jennifer Brodsky is researching disease-specific and dopamine medication effects on the vestibular system in people with Parkinson disease. There is growing evidence that the vestibular system may be affected in people with Parkinson disease and could contribute to motor and non-motor symptoms. Results of Dr. Brodsky’s work could drive the application of existing and novel vestibular-based treatments for Parkinson's symptoms. Dr. Brodsky is currently recruiting participants for her study.

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Prior Research:

  • The Center faculty and staff under the direction of Dr. George Gates completed a multi-center randomized clinical trial of a new method to treat people with Meniere’s disease (Meniett study).

  • Researchers in the center, under the direction of Dr. Phillips, conducted NASA sponsored research to develop countermeasures for neurovestibular dysfunction in astronauts and patients.

  • The Center staff, under the direction of Dr. Val Street conducted research to determine the genetic contributions to balance and hearing.

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