Vestibular assessment and management in adults

Background: There is scarcity of research in vestibular assessment and management within the South African context. Methods: The current study explored the current practices of South African Audiologists in the assessment and management of vestibular disorders in adults. A survey research methodology with a cross-sectional research design was adopted. The current study made use of a 29 item web-based survey, and surveyed 32 audiologists from across the country on their practices around vestibular assessment and management in adults presenting with vestibular symptoms. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Current findings revealed that 53% of participants in the study were conducting vestibular assessments, even though 75% reported seeing patients presenting with vestibular symptoms in their practices. 34.4% of participants indicated using a core test battery adapted to the patient’s case history when assessing patients with vestibular disorders. The most common assessments performed were peripheral vestibular examinations and oculomotor tests. Furthermore, a majority (59.4%) of the participants do not have any high-tech equipment at their practice. Of the sample, 62.5% of the participants do not perform vestibular management. Of the individuals who do perform vestibular management, vestibular rehabilitation therapy and canalith repositioning maneuvers were the most common treatment procedures performed. The most commonly referred to professional is the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, and 50% of participants make 0-5 referrals per week for patients with vestibular disorders. With regards to the facilitators and barriers to practice, 53% indicated that lack of vestibular equipment was the main barrier to practice, whereas 50% indicated that the main facilitator to practice was the fact that there were patients presenting with vestibular symptoms. Conclusion: Current findings raise implications about the provision of vestibular function services in both public and private sectors in South Africa. Implications for training and resource planning and allocation are highlighted.