A Specialty In Its Own Right
Audiovestibular Medicine is a unique medical (rather than surgical) specialty and is one of the specialties of the Royal College of Physicians, in the UK. It was recognised as a specialty in its own right in the UK in 1975, originally being known as Audiological Medicine. In fact, it is unique to the UK and just a handful of other countries, and has its own specialist training programme.
In countries without Audiovestibular Medicine, the closest niche sub-specialty is Neuro-otology, although there are differences.
Aside from core training in both ‘Audio’ & ‘Vestibular’ Medicine, Audiovestibular trainees also receive considerable training in other related fields, including Adult & Paediatric Neurology, ENT, General Medicine & Geriatrics, Paediatrics & Developmental Paediatrics, Adult & Paediatric Ophthalmology, Psychiatry, Psychology, Allergy and Genetics.
Audiovestibular Medicine is NOT Neurology or ENT, although an Audiovestibular Physician will WORK CLOSELY with these COMPLEMENTARY specialties. In fact, an Audiovestibular Physician often also works closely with other allied specialties, including Cardiology, Geriatrics, Paediatrics, Genetics & Psychiatry. Additionally, Physicians will work with other Healthcare Professionals, including Audiologists, Hearing Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, etc – forming a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).
Within Audiovestibular Medicine, some Consultants may sub-specialise e.g. Paediatric Audiovestibular Medicine, Vestibular Medicine, Complex Audiology, etc.
What Symptoms & Conditions Are Treated?
Audiovestibular Physicians are medical specialists with extensive training in diagnosing, investigating, and treating patients with dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, tinnitus and sensorineural (inner ear) hearing loss.
Some of the conditions & symptoms treated in Audiovestibular Medicine:
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- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Vestibular Migraine
- Meniere’s Disease
- Vestibular Neuritis & Labyrinthitis
- Vestibular Hypofunction (weakness)
- Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD)
- Vestibular Paroxysmia
- Tinnitus
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss – including Ototoxicity and Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
- Complex Audiology
Unfortunately, patients with these conditions often see many Healthcare Professionals (over a number of years), without an ACCURATE diagnosis, and therefore without EFFECTIVE management. As a result, these symptoms can have a significantly negative effect on quality of life.
What Attributes Can You Expect From An Audiovestibular Medicine Physician?
To be an excellent doctor, one requires far more than just academic knowledge… it is how that knowledge is applied and, perhaps most importantly, communicated.
Aside from specialist knowledge, Audiovestibular Physicians require excellent communication skills, strong clinical acumen, and academic prowess. Effective team-working with other Healthcare Professionals is essential.
Additionally, the rehabilitative aspects of management require ‘natural empathy’ and the ability to ‘connect’ and build rapport with patients.
Professional Satisfaction within Audiovestibular Medicine: My Practice…
Audiovestibular Medicine is a hugely rewarding specialty. In my NHS work, I run busy clinics covering all areas within Audiovestibular Medicine, in both adults in children. Aside from my NHS work, I also offer timely & expert care for adults, through my busy private practice. More information can be found at thedizzyspecialist.com/services.
My sub-specialist areas are dizziness, vertigo, balance disorders & tinnitus, in both adults & children.
By focussing on such a niche group within medicine, I have been able developed extensive expertise in diagnosing and managing these symptoms & conditions.
I am extremely proud to have already helped thousands of patients to date through my work within Audiovestibular Medicine. My personal philosophy is to do everything I can to help the patients I am privileged to consult.
I continually strive to provide high quality, up-to-date and evidenced-based care, implementing a HOLISTIC approach, thereby ensuring the care I provide is as EFFECTIVE as possible.
As a Consultant Audiovestibular Physician, it is so rewarding being able to help patients with these debilitating conditions, allowing them to return to their normal routines and improve their quality of life.
Receiving feedback from patients about how I have treated their symptoms and improved their quality of life is incredibly fulfilling. It is why I do what I do…
I will finish this post with some of the feedback I have received from patients, highlighting the impact an Audiovestibular Physician can make…
“Thank you for your kindness and patience when seeing me. I can, for the first time in 24 years, wake up without feeling dizzy and sick. You will never be able to fully appreciate my gratitude.“
“Thank you seems such a small word… I hope you understand how truly grateful I am for your expertise & patience. You listened, you saw and you acted, to you probably just your job but to me you have changed my life. I had spent 5 months in pain and discomfort, you changed that. I hope you can see the amazing impact you have on your patients. I will be forever grateful. “
“I just wanted to thank you so much for your time during my appointment. I really felt listened to & that what I was experiencing was not trivial, but had implications on my life. I really appreciated your thorough history taking and suggestions. Thank you”
“Thank you so much for diagnosing so accurately, and treating so efficiently and promptly, my disabling vertigo. I’m back to normal now and very grateful to you. Wish all other doctors were like you.”
“Dr Shaw took a lot of time to understand about my issue and explain it in all detail. After 1 appointment my dizziness is gone. I would highly recommend seeing him”
“Well worth the time, Dr Ben Shaw was extremely knowledgeable and was able to “hone into” specific issues that have taken any other specialist I have previously seen far longer to notice. Highly recommended.”
“I cannot thank Dr Shaw enough for taking the time to listen to what I said, and come up with some answers. Finally I have direction and hope after what has been a long struggle with dizziness, tinnitus and vertigo. Easily the best consultant I have ever seen!”
If you are a doctor and are interested in pursuing a career within Audiovestibular Medicine, more information can be found here.
If you suffer with dizziness, imbalance, tinnitus or hearing loss and would like to enquire about a Private Medical Consultation, please email secretary@thedizzyspecialist.com or Phone 07835 961 076.
Dr Benjamin Shaw | Audiovestibular Consultant Physician | TheDizzySpecialist.com
I am an Audiovestibular Consultant Physician, based in London. I am a highly experienced and specialised Medical Doctor, who accurately diagnoses and effectively manages dizziness, vertigo, balance disorders, hearing loss & tinnitus. I am also a committed advocate for patients with these debilitating symptoms and create healthcare-related educational content, with the aim of empowering patients to better understand and manage their conditions.
What is Audiovestibular Medicine and when was it recognized as a medical specialty in its own right?
Regard Telkom University
Thank you Telkom University. Audiovestibular Medicine (previously known as Audiological Medicine) was officially recognised as a medical specialty in the UK in 1975. It is the branch of medicine dealing with diagnosing and treating hearing & balance disorders in both adults and children.