It can take from 1 to 3 years to see some balance and dizziness disorder sub-specialist doctors, for example neuro-otologists. A referral from a specialist doctor, rather than a family doctor – required for seeing some sub-specialists – usually shortens the wait.

Similarly, waiting times at some testing centres are very long. Some centres have an urgent or expedited testing policy; whether or not this applies to you will be determined by your referring doctor at the time of your consult. In provinces where there are private audiologists, such as BC and Ontario, you can get testing done by a private vestibular audiologist more quickly than through the public system.

If you can be available at short notice, call the specialist or testing centre and ask to be put on a cancellation list. More often than not, being on a cancellation list will get you in sooner than the expected wait time. Note that the office staff will likely move on to the next person on the cancellation list if they are unable to contact you fairly quickly. If you ask the office to use your mobile phone number, you increase your chance of catching their call or text message.