Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We accept patients only with a physician’s referral, preferably from a specialist. Our reports assume a working knowledge of each assessment so that the implications of the interpretations provided can be properly appreciated.
No, vestibular tests and hearing tests are covered under OHIP.
The clinic is located in the Toronto General Hospital on the 7th floor – take any elevator within the hospital to the 7th floor, Eaton Wing North. Follow the signs to the Hearing & Balance Centre, room 213. The closest subway station is Queens Park on the Yonge-University line.
Parking is available across from the Elizabeth Street Entrance.
Vestibular refers to the part of the inner ear where the balance organs are located.
Vertigo is the sensation of movement when you are not actually moving.
Our tests do not require that you feel dizzy on the day of the tests. We are testing the function of your balance organs regardless of your symptoms. In fact, it is better that you feel well enough to get through the testing in order for us to finish the assessments.
For a full vestibular assessment, the testing will take between 3 and 4 hours. You will get small breaks throughout the testing as needed.
Please wear comfortable clothing as you will be seated and lying down throughout the testing. You will also be wearing googles for some of the tests, so please do not wear any eye make-up as it will interfere with the results.
Most patients feel fine after testing, however, as a precaution, we recommend you bring someone in case you feel ill.
We see a wide range of patients, from children as young as 3 years-old to the elderly.
At the Hearing and Balance Centre, we do not dispense hearing aids. Bookings for hearing aid evaluations and all other hearing aid inquiries can be made by contacting the Munk Hearing Centre.
No, it is not possible for us to accommodate walk-in appointments even if we have received a referral since all testing is scheduled months in advance.
You should receive a letter in the mail with your appointment date a couple of months after the referral was sent.
It will take approximately 4-6 months from the referral date to get an appointment at the Hearing and Balance Centre.
Once you have completed the testing with us, the results will be sent to your referring doctor in approximately 2 weeks. We recommend that you contact your referral doctor once the testing is completed to book the follow-up appointment 2 weeks after the tests.