Neuro-otology

Chicago Dizziness and Hearing specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of neurologic and otologic disorders of balance and hearing.  The clinic was established in 2000 by Dr. Timothy Hain, MD, a widely recognized leader in the field of otoneurology.  Dr. Hain is a Professor in the Departments of Neurology, Otolaryngology, Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences.

 The clinic attracts patients from around the country.  Some of the more common conditions seen include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, migraine variants, vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, Meniere's disease, autoimmune inner ear disease, gentamicin ototoxicity, perilymphatic fistulae, acoustic neuromas, mal de debarquement, orthostatic hypotension, superior canal dehiscence, tinnitus and hearing loss.

 The clinic is staffed by physicians, audiologists and physical therapists.  Vestibular rehabilitation and physical therapy are provided on-site by Dr. Janet Helminski, PhD, PT.  Hearing evaluations and other audiologic testing are provided on-site under the supervision of Audrey Cameron, AuD.  Many disorders of hearing and balance require an interdisciplinary approach to diagnosis and management, so the staff of Chicago Dizziness and Hearing also work closely with faculty in the Departments of Neurology, Otolaryngology, Radiology and Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences.

 The clinic is equipped to provide a range of diagnostic testing, including audiologic evaluations (audiometry, otoacoustic emissions), oculomotor testing (video nystagmography), oculomotor evaluation, vestibular testing (videonystagmography with caloric testing, rotatory chair testing), evoked potentials (brainstem auditory evoked potentials, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, electrocochleography), computerized dynamic posturography, and lumbar puncture.  The clinic is also developing the capacity to provide tilt-table testing.

 Dr. Timothy Hain maintains the clinic's website, which provides a wealth of information for patients and physicians regarding otoneurologic disorders.  The site's web pages come up among the highest hits on internet searches for these conditions.