More commonly, dizziness is simply a sign of something wrong somewhere in the vastly complex vestibular system. Another common cause of dizziness is anxiety, usually closely coupled with other symptoms of fright or panic. A system this complex deserves to be called a sense, like our sense of hearing, sight, etc. Its complexity befuddles doctors and patients alike. A set of laboratory tests done in hospital or clinic that measure the function of various parts of the system individually.
Caloric testing is a way to compare the response of each ear to warming or cooling stimulation.
The damaged ear will respond less vigorously or not at all. Physical therapy that promotes neurological adaptation required to restore the vestibular sense. A vestibular rehabilitation therapist assesses specific lost abilities and vestibular system weaknesses, then teaches exercises to be done on a daily basis to recover those lost abilities, without the use of medications. During 6-8 weekly therapy sessions, new exercises are assigned to reach increasingly complex levels of vestibular function. A similar process is used by dancers, skaters, gymnasts, and fighter pilots to maintain a higher level of vestibular fitness necessary for their daily activities.