Event. Vestibular Diagnostics: A Clinical and Practical Workshop

This workshop is a 3-day, in-person course. Attendees will learn how to use a variety of diagnostic tools to evaluate and treat the balance system. Content covers diagnostic vestibular tests, functional assessments, and interpretation of different vestibular test results. Instruction includes clinical instruction, interactive discussions, how-to demonstrations, and a series of practical rotations for attendees to gain hands-on experience and skills.

Course content

This workshop covers how to perform accurate assessments of the peripheral and central vestibular system including:

• BPPV assessments and treatment
• Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) and Ocular counter roll (OCR) assessment and interpretation
• Video head impulse test (vHIT), caloric, and rotary chair assessment and interpretation
• Oculomotor and saccadometry assessments and interpretation

We will also explore functional assessment of balance patients:

• Vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) testing, including the dynamic visual acuity (DVA) test and the gaze stabilization test (GST)

Intended audience

Course content is appropriate for audiologists, technicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals involved in performing vestibular tests and vestibular rehabilitation. Attendees need not have extensive vestibular testing experience, but we assume attendees will have some basic knowledge of the vestibular system. The course is relevant to professionals looking to develop their clinical and practical skills in assessing and treating patients with balance-related problems.

Course presenters

Michelle Petrak, Ph.D.

Michelle’s primary role is development and clinical validation of new technologies in the vestibular and balance areas. She is a licensed, private practice, clinical audiologist at Northwest Speech and Hearing (NWSPH), Chicago, IL. Michelle holds doctorates in electrophysiology and biomolecular electronics from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in audiology. Michelle is involved with new innovative product developments, clinical evaluations of new protocols, publishing, teaching, and training on the management of patients with dizziness. She lectures extensively nationally and internationally, and has numerous articles published in the hearing industry journals.

Cammy Bahner, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA

Cammy has several years of clinical experience, primarily in vestibular diagnostics and electrophysiologic assessment and is a licensed audiologist in Minnesota. She has served as a guest speaker at state, national and international conventions and is a contributing author on published articles in hearing industry journals. She is currently a member of AAA and ASHA.

Darren Whelan, MSc, MRes

Darren holds an undergraduate degree in audiology and a master’s degree in Health Science, Neurophysiology and Clinical Research. His resumé includes several clinical positions in the National Health Service (NHS). Prior to his current occupation as an International Clinical Trainer at the Interacoustics Academy, Darren held a clinical and research scientist role, where he investigated patients with auditory and vestibular pathology, and managed a portfolio of research studies.