Do you have a question about our service?
If your question is not answered below, please feel free to get in touch via e-mail: admin@earsinbalance.com.au or call us on (03) 8782 1678
How much does an appointment cost?
There are no out-of-pocket expenses. If you have a valid Medicare card and a medical referral, all appointments are bulk billed.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. You will need a referral from a medical professional to allow your appointment to be bulk billed.
Will I know the results of my tests?
We will explain your results during the appointment, along with any recommendations. In some cases, we may seek a second opinion before finalising or confirming results to ensure the most accurate interpretation.
How long is an appointment?
We allow 2 hours for each appointment. In that time, we will perform the tests, explain the results, discuss any recommendations we might have and address your questions.
When will my doctor get the results?
Our reports are overseen by Dr Luke Chen. Once your report has been signed off, it will be faxed to your doctor the following Monday. In some circumstances we can provide an urgent report on the same day.
Do I need to stop taking my medication?
No. We do not require you to stop any medications before attending an appointment.
It’s important that you continue taking your usual medications as prescribed.
Should I still come if I’m not dizzy?
Yes — you absolutely should. You do not need to be experiencing symptoms on the day of your appointment. In fact, many vestibular conditions are intermittent, meaning symptoms come and go.
At Ears in Balance, we provide both diagnostic and treatment services. Even when you’re not actively symptomatic, we can still gather valuable information about your inner ear and overall balance system
Should I get someone to drive me?
Whether you should be driven to your appointment depends on your individual symptoms on the day. Most people are completely fine to drive themselves to and from their appointment.
However, because some tests can occasionally provoke dizziness or imbalance, we recommend using your judgement. If you are currently very symptomatic, feel unsteady, or are unsure, it’s safer to arrange for someone to drive you.
When in doubt, it’s always best to have a driver organised so you can focus on your assessment without any concern about how you’ll feel afterwards.
Will your tests make me dizzy?
Most of our tests do not typically provoke dizziness. The main exception is if you are already experiencing symptoms at the time of your appointment. If this occurs, all tests can be modified or stopped at any point to ensure your comfort.
If you have active BPPV, the Dix–Hallpike test may briefly reproduce your symptoms. However, this dizziness is short-lived, and we will begin treatment straight away. We will always explain what to expect before starting.
Caloric testing can also cause short-lasting dizziness, but this is not part of our standard assessment. It is only performed if specifically requested by your doctor or if indicated by the results of your other tests. If caloric testing is required, it will be scheduled as a separate appointment, and we will thoroughly explain the procedure beforehand.