[Dizziness from the viewpoint of otorhinolaryngology].

Dizziness is a common symptom in daily clinical practice. Dizziness and vertigo affect the quality of life as they are associated with the risk of falls leading to limited ability of independent locomotion and thus to a reduction in social contact. The source of problems with dizziness is localized in the area of visual, somatosensory and vestibular sense inputs. The ear nose and throat (ENT) specialist is involved in an interdisciplinary context to elucidate and treat peripheral vestibular disorders. The subjective symptoms of dizziness have to be clarified by taking a careful patient history. By means of objective tests (cVEMP, oVEMP, video-head impulse test) the ENT specialist is able to selectively analyze the function of the five vestibular receptors; therefore, a topological assignment in peripheral vestibulopathy is possible. The exact diagnosis is a prerequisite for a specific therapy and many diseases can be evidence-based, safe and effectively treated.