Balance Function Assessment and Management

From The Critics

Reviewer: Linda Jacobs-Condit, AuD, CCC-A(George Washington University)
Description: This book describes the basic anatomy and physiology of the balance system as well as the evaluation and treatment of disorders.
Purpose: The purpose is to educate future and current audiologists, otologists, physical therapists as master clinicians and scientists on disorders and treatments of the balance system.
Audience: According to R.F. Burkhard in the foreword, the book also could be titled, "Everything you wanted to know about balance function but were afraid to ask." It is up to date and useful as a reference for students as well as practicing clinicians in audiology, otology, physical therapy, neurology. Both editors are well respected in the field of audiology and/or vestibular studies and are ASHA fellows, current/past editors of audiology journals, and authors of innumerable books.
Features: The book is divided into four primary sections. Background provides information on anatomy/physiology of the vestibular and oculo-motor systems, as well as techniques to record eye movements. Assessment moves from the case history process to evaluating dizziness-related quality of life; techniques for testing, interpretation, and usefulness of ocular motility; positional/positioning, calorics, rotational and computerized dynamic posturography; and vestibular sensory evoked and myogenic potentials. Treatment begins with nonmedical management of positional vertigo, to medical and surgical treatments of ontologically based vertigo; neurological and psychiatric-based dizziness; vestibular rehabilitation; and falls assessment. The final section provides several case studies. Each chapter is filled with excellent pictures, diagrams, tables and extensive references. Also accompanying the book is a DVD of video clips that provide examples of both normal and disordered balance function. Even though each chapter is written by a different group of authors, there is a uniformity of writing style, chapter format, and other features throughout that is a testament to the editorial skills of the editors.
Assessment: This comprehensive book on balance disorders can be a primary text for a graduate course on diagnosis and treatment of balance problems, as well as a reference for practicing clinicians and/or scientists.