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Healthcare Specialties: Professionals Who Can Help You Deal with Balance and Dizziness Disorders

Health Professionals

Help! I'm Dizzy: Navigating the Canadian Healthcare System [Balance & Dizziness Canada YouTube video]
Registered audiologist Erica Zaia talks about which health professionals play a role in reaching a diagnosis and deciding on a management plan for vestibular disorders in a subtitled, view-on-demand recording.

In addition to your general practitioner (GP or family doctor), the following health professionals in Canada diagnose, assess, treat and/or help people cope with vestibular disorders.

Otolaryngologists (ear, nose & throat doctors)

Commonly known as ENTs, otolaryngologists are doctors who specialize in problems of the ear, nose, throat, and neck. They are excellent at diagnosing common vestibular disorders. Some ENTs, however, have other subspecialty interests and infrequently assess vestibular disorders – ask before making an appointment. A referral from a general practitioner or another specialist is required to book an appointment.

Neuro-otologists

These highly specialized otolaryngologists have completed extensive additional studies in the sub-specialty of otology and neuro-otology. They are the experts in diagnosing and treating complex conditions that affect parts of the brain and the central nervous system that are associated with the hearing and balance organs in the inner ear. Neuro-otologist services are best reserved for complex patients who ENTs and neurologists are struggling to diagnose and treat.

A referral is required to book an appointment. Note: Often neuro-otologists restrict their practice to referrals from ENT, neurology, and neuroosurgery. Not all will see patients referred from a GP.

Neurologists

Neurologists are specialists in diseases and disorders of the brain and central nervous system, including migraine. Those with expertise in the sensory and motor control systems of the brain can be particularly helpful in assessing balance problems related to the brain. Some neurologists, however, have other sub-specialty interests and rarely treat vestibular disorders or migraine. Ask before making an appointment.

A referral from a general practitioner or another specialist is required to book an appointment.

Neuro-ophthalmologists

Neuro-ophthalmologists are specialist eye doctors that focus on vision problems related to the nervous system, including the optic nerve and visual pathways. They are extensively trained in both the field of ophthalmology and neurology.

A referral from another specialist is required to book an appointment.

Find an otolaryngologist, neuro-otologist or neurologist by searching the public directory on the College of Physicians and Surgeons website for your province:

Find a neuro-ophthalmologist by searching the:

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists

Some physiotherapists and occupational therapists have post-graduate certification in assessing and treating many balance and vestibular disorders, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Speak to the therapist to find out if they have completed additional training in vestibular disorders and what type of vestibular conditions they have experience treating.

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists provide vestibular evaluations and treatment, which often includes prescribing home exercises and providing advice on living with dizziness and imbalance.

No referral is needed to book an appointment.

Find a physiotherapist by searching:

  • our Practioners List
  • the physiotherapy association’s online database for your province:

Note: most of these directories have advanced search features. You can narrow your search by entering terms such as "Vestibular," "Dizziness," "Balance," Loss of Balance" or "Vertigo".

The territories do not have searchable directories of physiotherapists, however these links may be helpful:

Find an occupational therapist by searching:

Audiologists

Audiologists are hearing health professionals. A small number have an advanced competency certificate in vestibular assessment and management.

A referral from an otolaryngologist (ENT) is required to book an appointment with a hospital-based audiologist - their fees are covered by MSP.

There are a number of private audiologists that can be accessed without a referral. Audiologists in private practice do not usually do vestibular assessments; they more often provide hearing tests and hearing aid fittings.

Find an audiologist by searching:

Developmental optometrists

Also known as behavioural optometrists, these highly specialized doctors of optometry have completed advanced studies in providing developmental and behavioural vision care for patients.

Developmental optometrists are certified as Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FCOVD).

A referral is not required to book an appointment.

Find a developmental optometrist by searching:

Speech-language pathologists

Speech-language pathologists can help with difficulty recalling words, memory, hearing in noisy environments and processing issues. They often work within the team of an occupational therapist and neuro-psychologists to help people after concussion.

A referral is need from a hospital-based audiology and speech language pathology department or school-based support team to access a publicly funded speech-language pathologist.

Private speech-language pathologists that can be accessed without a referral.

Find a speech-language pathologist by searching the:

Mental health professionals

The symptoms of some dizziness disorders can be distressing and upsetting. As a consequence, many people with chronic conditions experience dizziness-related depression and/or anxiety.

If you suspect you might be depressed, checking in with your family doctor is a good place to start.

For immediate help

Contact the Canada Suicide Prevention Service. Call 1-833-456-4566 for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For residents of Quebec, call 1-866-277-3553.

Non-emergency professional help with dizziness-related depression, anxiety and the stress of living with a chronic condition can be sought from:

Psychiatrists

These medical doctors have specialized training including the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety and depression through psychotherapy and medication.

A referral from a general practitioner or another specialist is required to book an appointment.

Find a psychiatrist by searching the public directory on the College of Physicians and Surgeons website for your province:

Psychologists

Registered psychologists have a doctorate degrees in psychology. As they are not medical doctors, they do not treat using medications.

No referral is required to book an appointment.

Provincial health plans generally do not cover the services of psychologists in private practice. Although many clients pay their own fees directly, there may be a number of options for funding and reimbursement available in your province.

Finding the Psychologist for You (Canadian Psychological Association) is a useful guide to tracking down a psychologist - it includes links to provincial professional associations. The directories of some provinces have advanced search features that let you limit your search to terms such as "chronic conditions," "stress management," "anxiety disorders" or "depression".

Clinical Counsellors

There are no regulations around using the word "counsellor" in Canada.  Canadian Certified Counsellors (CCC) have a range of backgrounds and may have a master's or doctoral level degree from a counselling program. They are certified through the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Other counsellor certifications can vary greatly. Ask a prospective counsellor questions in order to find out more about them and their background. This will help you determine if they are a good fit for you.

No referral is required to book an appointment.

Some workplaces offer access to counselling through benefit programs such as Employee Assistance Programs (EPA) and extended health coverage.

Find a certified clinical counsellor by searching the:

Many counsellors offer a sliding scale and there may be several options in the your community where substantially reduced prices are offered – expect to join a waiting list.

Cognitive behavioural therapists

Cognitive behaviour therapy is the most commonly recommended therapy for treating anxiety. Elevated levels of anxiety go hand in hand with many balance and dizziness disorders. It is important to work with an experienced therapist who has specific training in CBT. Look for someone who meshes with your personality.

A physician referral is required for CBT accessed through a hospital or mental health clinic.

If you have health benefits at work, ask about your coverage. Additionally, a workplace Employee Assistance Plan may offer some services.

Mental health organizations such as Anxiety Canada and the Canadian Mental Health Association may offer services in your area or have connections that they can refer you to.

Cognitive behavioural therapists in private practice can be accessed without a referral.

Find a qualified cognitive behavioural therapist by searching the:

Registered massage therapists (RMT)

Therapeutic massage therapy is often effectively combined with vestibular rehabilitation.

Massage therapy is not yet a regulated healthcare profession in all Canadian provinces and territories. Extended healthcare plans may require a doctor’s prescription for massage therapy and will only cover massage given by an RMT.

Find a massage therapist by:

Page updated January, 2021.