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VeDA – Vestibular Disorders Association – Peer Support Groups & Online Community Resources – Daily

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When:
March 1, 2026 all-day
2026-03-01T00:00:00-08:00
2026-03-02T00:00:00-08:00
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VeDA - Vestibular Disorders Association - Peer Support Groups & Online Community Resources - Daily

 

 

 

 

 

VESTIBULAR DISORDERS ASSOCIATION (VeDA)

Peer Support Groups & Online Community Resources — FREE

“Improving the lives of people with vestibular disorders through awareness, education, and research.”

ABOUT VESTIBULAR DISORDERS

The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that help control balance and eye movements. When the system is damaged by disease, aging, or injury, vestibular disorders can result. More than 35% of U.S. adults aged 40 and older — approximately 69 million people — experience vestibular dysfunction at some point in their lives, and many go on to develop a chronic condition. Balance is often taken for granted, but when the fragile vestibular organs are damaged, the impacts extend far beyond physical instability — affecting school, work, family life, and independent living. These challenges are frequently made harder by the disorder’s invisibility to others and the extended time it often takes to reach an accurate diagnosis.

Vestibular disorders are commonly associated with one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Dizziness: A sensation of lightheadedness, faintness, or unsteadiness.
  • Vertigo: A rotational or spinning perception of movement — either of yourself or your surroundings.
  • Imbalance: Unsteadiness or loss of equilibrium, often accompanied by spatial disorientation.
  • Brain Fog: Slowed thinking or short-term memory challenges caused by the brain’s effort to maintain equilibrium.
  • Tinnitus: Abnormal ringing, hissing, buzzing, or clicking sounds in one or both ears.
  • Hearing Loss: Reduced ability to hear; reported in one or both ears by over two-thirds of vestibular patients in a VeDA patient poll.
  • Vision Impairment: Blurred or “jumping” vision due to disruption of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR).
  • Nausea: Persistent or intermittent feeling of being nauseated.
  • Cognitive Changes: Difficulty concentrating, paying attention, or recalling basic facts.
  • Psychological Changes: Anxiety and depression are common due to the unpredictable, chronic nature of most vestibular disorders.
  • Motion Sickness: Symptoms triggered when the central nervous system receives conflicting signals from the visual and vestibular systems.
  • Derealization: Feelings of being alienated from your surroundings or distortions in time or space.
  • Depersonalization: Feeling like an outside observer of your own thoughts, feelings, or body; emotional numbness.

 

ONLINE PEER SUPPORT GROUPS

VeDA’s online support groups meet in real time via video conference, connecting patients who cannot leave their homes or do not have a local group nearby. All groups are free to attend. Times are listed in Central Daylight Time (CDT) — use a time zone converter to find your local time.

 

MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUPS

Run Balanced (For Runners)

A peer support group for runners navigating vestibular disorders. Meets the 1st Monday of each month, 6:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Alexandra Biss. Register at vestibular.org.

 

Online Support Group II — East Coast Time

A peer support group for vestibular patients in or near the Eastern time zone. Meets the 2nd Monday of each month, 6:00 PM CDT. Hosted by David Morrill. Register at vestibular.org.

 

Online Support Group — Pacific Time Zone

A peer support group for vestibular patients in the Pacific time zone. Meets the 2nd Monday of each month, 9:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Nicole Schaefer & Ana Fuentes. Register at vestibular.org.

 

Vestibular Peer Support — Sarah Conover, PT, MHS

Facilitated by physical therapist Sarah Conover. Meets twice monthly: 1st Tuesday, 10:00 AM CDT and 3rd Thursday, 6:00 PM CDT. Register at vestibular.org.

Steady Steps

A group focused on building steadiness and confidence in daily life. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every other month, 6:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Christi Sloan. [VERIFY: confirm active months] Register at vestibular.org.

Hours subject to change. Confirm current schedule at vestibular.org.

 

Invisible Illness Support Group

A group for those living with vestibular disorders as an invisible illness. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every other month, 6:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Dana Tress. [VERIFY: confirm active months] Register at vestibular.org.

Hours subject to change. Confirm current schedule at vestibular.org.

 

Living Solo with a Vestibular Disorder

A group for individuals navigating vestibular disorders independently. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 12:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Karen Mizrach & Sheryl Zolotorofe. Register at vestibular.org.

 

Ohio State University Vestibular Support Group

Hosted in partnership with the OSU vestibular program. Open to all vestibular patients. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Chaundra Catrone, PT, MPT. Register at vestibular.org.

 

Dizzy Moms Club (The DMC)

A community for mothers and parents managing vestibular disorders while raising families. Meets the 4th Wednesday of each month, 12:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Karen & Careen. Register at vestibular.org.

 

Dizzy Moms Club UK

A UK-based group for mothers and parents with vestibular disorders. Meets the 2nd Thursday of each month, 1:30 PM CDT (6:30 PM UK time). Hosted by Nicola & Lou. Register at vestibular.org.

 

Wobbly, Dizzy & Deaf

A group for individuals with both vestibular dysfunction and hearing loss or deafness. Meets the 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Lynn Johnson & Darcy Bonjour. Register at vestibular.org.

 

Apoyo y Guía para Complicaciones Vestibulares

Grupo de apoyo en español para personas con trastornos vestibulares. (Spanish-language vestibular peer support.) Se reúne el 1er viernes de cada mes, 7:00 PM CDT. Dirigido por Israel Méndez. vestibular.org.

 

Red de Apoyo — Migraña Vestibular

Grupo de apoyo en español para migraña vestibular. (Spanish-language vestibular migraine support.) Se reúne el 1er miércoles de cada mes, 6:30 PM CDT. Organizado por Carlos Mateo Coria-Sánchez. vestibular.org.

 

WEEKLY SUPPORT GROUPS

 

Dizzy Together — 8-Week Support Group, Spring 2026

A structured 8-week peer support program for spring 2026. Hosted by Ana Fuentes and Samantha Maloney. [VERIFY: confirm day, time, start date] Register at vestibular.org.

Hours subject to change. Confirm current schedule at vestibular.org.

 

Long-Term Vestibular Warriors — Medically Retired

Meets every Tuesday, 2:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Mary B. Ziegler, Hollie Smith, and Michelle Othon. Register at vestibular.org.

 

Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS) Support Group

Meets every Tuesday, 7:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Nancy Gray. Register at vestibular.org.

 

Ménière’s Disease Support Group

Meets every Wednesday at various times throughout the day — visit vestibular.org for the full schedule. Hosted by Angela Selar, G. Lakin Rosier, & Rachael Verhulst.

Hours subject to change. See vestibular.org for current times.

 

Finding Joy in Your Vestibular Journey

Meets every Thursday, 7:00 PM CDT. Hosted by Joy Holten, Marissa Aldrete & Dave Guigno. Register at vestibular.org.

 

VEDA MONTHLY SOCIAL HOUR

 

VeDA Social Hour — Monthly Meetup

A casual hangout — not a formal support group — for vestibular patients each month. [VERIFY: confirm current monthly date and time] Register at vestibular.org.

Check vestibular.org for the current monthly schedule.

 

ONLINE COMMUNITY & FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUPS

Connect 24 hours a day · 7 days a week through VeDA’s free Facebook communities. A free Facebook account is required. All groups are free with no cost, screening, or paid membership.

 

General Vestibular Support Groups

 

Diagnosis-Specific Support Groups

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 

VESTIBULAR GLOSSARY

Common terms used in vestibular healthcare. Use this glossary to better understand your diagnosis, conversations with your care team, and the resources available to you.

 

Accommodation: Act of refocusing on a visual image.

Acephalgic: Without head pain.

Acoustic Neuroma: A nonmalignant tumor on the inner ear’s vestibulo-cochlear nerve causing hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance problems.

Acrophobia: Fear of heights.

Activities Specific Balance Confidence (ABC): A subjective assessment of patient confidence during various tasks.

Acuity: Sharpness of vision.

Agoraphobia: An anxiety disorder involving fear of situations that may cause panic or helplessness.

Akinesia: Loss or slowness of movement.

Aminoglycosides: A group of antibiotics that can cause vestibular or cochlear toxicity.

Ampulla: The dilated ending of the semicircular canal containing the cupula.

Antihistamine: Medications used to address chronic vertigo or motion sickness.

Antivert: Brand name of Meclizine.

Anxiety: A mental health disorder characterized by worry or fear that interferes with daily activities.

Apraxia: Loss of skilled movements despite intact power, sensation, and coordination.

Ataxia: Incoordination of movements affecting walking and balance.

Ativan: Brand name of Lorazepam.

Audiologist: A professional who identifies, assesses, and diagnoses hearing and vestibular (balance) disorders.

Audiometry: Test of hearing.

Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED): A condition in which the immune system attacks the inner ear, causing progressive hearing and balance problems.

Autophony: Increased perception of one’s own voice or breathing.

Balance System: The body’s system of mechanisms that maintains balance.

Base of Support (BOS): The area beneath a person that includes all points of contact with the ground.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV): A common vestibular disorder caused by displaced calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) in the inner ear that send false signals to the brain during head movement.

Benzodiazepines: Medications used to decrease vestibular system activity with acute vertigo.

Bilateral: Affecting both sides of the body.

Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction (BVH): Reduction or loss of vestibular function on both sides, causing balance and visual difficulty during head movement.

Bradykinesia: Slowed movements.

Brain Fog: Slowed thinking, difficulty recalling details, or short-term memory problems caused by the brain’s effort to maintain balance.

Caloric Testing: A vestibular test involving warm and cold water or air irrigated into the ear canal to assess vestibular nerve function.

Canalith Repositioning Maneuver (CRM): Treatment to move displaced otoconia from the semicircular canal to the utricle; used for BPPV.

Canalithiasis: A BPPV variant where otoconia float freely in the semicircular canal.

CANVAS Syndrome: Cerebellar Ataxia, Neuropathy, and Vestibular Areflexia Syndrome — a rare condition causing major balance disruption.

Center of Gravity (COG): The point in the body on which gravity acts; changes with position and activity.

Central Vestibular System: The brain and brainstem areas that process balance and spatial orientation information.

Cephalgia: Head pain.

Cerebellar Degeneration (CD): Degeneration of nerve cells in the cerebellum, affecting balance and coordination.

Cerebellum: The brain region that modulates balance, limb, and eye movements.

Cervicogenic Dizziness: Dizziness originating from the neck, often worsened by head movements and accompanied by neck pain or stiffness.

Cholesteatoma: An abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that can cause hearing loss, dizziness, and facial muscle paralysis.

Chronic: A disease or symptom that is long-lasting.

Chronic Subjective Dizziness (CSD): Former name for Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD).

Cisplatin: A chemotherapy agent with vestibular-toxic properties.

Cochlea: The inner ear structure responsible for hearing.

Cochlear Implant: A device that bypasses the outer and middle ear to directly stimulate auditory nerve fibers.

Compensation: A decrease in vestibular symptoms as the brain recalibrates inner ear signals.

Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP): A test measuring the ability to maintain upright posture in different environments.

Concussion: A brain injury from impact or rapid head movement; can cause vestibular symptoms.

Conductive Hearing Loss: Hearing loss caused by abnormalities of the outer or middle ear.

Cupulolithiasis: A BPPV variant where debris is stuck to the cupula of a semicircular canal.

Decompensation: Return of vestibular symptoms after initial compensation, often triggered by stress.

Dehiscence: A split or opening in a structure, such as the bone over the superior semicircular canal.

Depersonalization: Feeling detached from your own body, thoughts, or feelings; like observing yourself from outside.

Derealization: Feeling detached from your surroundings.

Diazepam (Valium): A benzodiazepine used to reduce vestibular system activity with acute vertigo.

Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine): An antihistamine used for chronic vertigo and motion sickness.

Diplopia: Double vision.

Disequilibrium: Unsteadiness or loss of equilibrium, often with spatial disorientation.

Dix-Hallpike Maneuver: A test to identify anterior or posterior canal BPPV.

Dizziness: A non-specific term for feelings of imbalance, spinning, or lightheadedness.

Dizziness Handicap Index (DHI): A subjective test measuring the impact of dizziness on daily life.

Dynamic Gait Index (DGI): A test of balance while walking under various conditions.

Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA): A test measuring how clearly an individual sees when their head is in motion.

Dysequilibrium: Subjective sense of unsteadiness.

Electronystagmography (ENG): Measurement of eye movements using electrodes; used to diagnose vestibular disorders.

Emesis: Vomiting.

Endolymph: The fluid within the semicircular canals and vestibule.

Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome (EVAS): Enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct causing hearing loss and balance symptoms.

Epley Maneuver: A repositioning treatment for posterior canal BPPV.

Fixation: Maintenance of gaze on a single location.

Frenzel Goggles: Goggles that block visual fixation during vestibular testing to allow observation of nystagmus.

Fukuda Step Test: A postural control test for unilateral vestibular loss.

Fullness: Perception of pressure in the ear; common in Menière’s Disease.

Gaze Evoked Nystagmus (GEN): Nystagmus occurring when looking at a fixed point in the periphery.

Gentamicin: An antibiotic with vestibular-toxic properties.

Habituation: Acquired tolerance to a stimulus through repeated exposure; used as a VRT treatment strategy.

Hemianopia: Loss of sight in one half of the visual field.

Hydrops: Distention of the inner ear labyrinth with fluid; associated with Menière’s Disease.

Hyperacusis: Abnormal sensitivity or pain response to sound.

Idiopathic: Of unknown cause.

Imbalance: Observable unsteadiness.

Inner Ear: The semicircular canals and cochlea; the organs of balance and hearing embedded in the temporal bone.

Invisible Illness: A medical condition not easily visible to others; vestibular disorders are frequently invisible illnesses.

Kinanesthesia: Inability to perceive your own movements.

Kinesthesia: Perception of movement.

Labyrinth: The complex inner ear system of chambers and passageways for balance and hearing.

Labyrinthitis: Inflammation of the inner ear labyrinth causing both hearing changes and dizziness or vertigo.

Lateropulsion: Tendency to fall or lean to one side.

Lethargy: Drowsiness, fatigue, and tiredness.

Lightheadedness: Feeling of faintness or near-fainting.

Lorazepam (Ativan): A benzodiazepine used to reduce vestibular system activity with acute vertigo.

Maculae: Hair cell-containing sensory epithelium in the otolithic organs, stimulated by linear acceleration.

Mal de Débarquement (MdDS): A vestibular disorder with persistent rocking or swaying sensations after travel by sea, train, or air.

Mastoid: A bony prominence behind the ear containing air spaces connecting to the middle ear.

Meclizine (Antivert): An antihistamine used to reduce vestibular activity for chronic vertigo or motion sickness.

Ménière’s Disease: A vestibular disorder causing recurring vertigo, tinnitus, ear fullness, and fluctuating hearing loss due to excess endolymph in the inner ear.

Middle Ear: The air-filled cavity containing the ossicles and eardrum; transfers sound to the cochlea.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI): A brain disruption from head impact that can cause vestibular symptoms.

Motion Sickness: Nausea, disorientation, and fatigue caused by conflicting signals between the visual and vestibular systems.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): An autoimmune brain and spinal cord disease that may cause vestibular and balance symptoms.

Neuropathy: Nerve cell disease that can decrease limb sensation and complicate balance.

Nystagmus: Involuntary, rapid eye movements; a common sign of vestibular dysfunction.

Occupational Therapist: A healthcare professional who helps patients develop or recover skills for daily living and work.

Oscillopsia: “Jumping” or blurred vision when the head or body is moving, caused by vestibular dysfunction.

Ossicles: The three middle ear bones (malleus, incus, stapes) that transmit sound to the inner ear.

Otalgia: Ear pain.

Otoconia: Calcium carbonate crystals in the inner ear; when displaced, they cause BPPV.

Otolaryngologist (ENT): A physician who diagnoses and treats disorders of the ear, nose, and throat.

Otolith Organs: The utricle and saccule; inner ear structures that detect linear acceleration and gravity.

Otologist / Neurotologist: An ENT with additional specialized training in ear disorders and their brain connections.

Otoneurologist: A neurologist with specialized training in dizziness and balance disorders.

Otosclerosis: Abnormal inner ear bone growth causing hearing loss and sometimes dizziness.

Ototoxicity: Inner ear damage caused by certain drugs or chemicals, resulting in hearing or balance disturbances.

Paresthesia: Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations.

Paroxysmal: Recurrent, sudden intensification of symptoms.

Perilymph: The fluid surrounding the semicircular canals and vestibule within the bony labyrinth.

Perilymph Fistula: A tear in the membrane between the middle and inner ear, allowing pressure changes to stimulate balance structures.

Peripheral Vestibular System: The inner ear balance organs: semicircular canals, utricle, and saccule.

Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD): Chronic non-spinning dizziness lasting 3+ months, worsened by motion and complex visual environments. A neuro-otologic condition, not psychiatric.

Phonophobia: Abnormal sensitivity or fear of sound.

Photophobia: Abnormal sensitivity or fear of light.

Physical Therapist (PT/DPT): A licensed provider who optimizes movement and function. Vestibular-specialized PTs treat dizziness and imbalance.

Proprioception: Detection of the position and movement of body parts.

Promethazine (Phenergan): An antihistamine used for chronic vertigo and motion sickness.

Psychiatrist: A medical doctor specializing in mental illness who can distinguish physical from psychological causes of symptoms.

Psychologist: A doctoral-level specialist in mind and behavior who provides counseling and behavior modification therapy.

Pulsion: The feeling of being pulled in a certain direction.

Reflex: An involuntary motion in response to a stimulus.

Roll Test: A maneuver to identify horizontal canal BPPV.

Saccades: Rapid, abrupt eye movements used to shift the point of visual fixation.

Saccule: An otolithic inner ear organ that senses vertical linear motion of the head.

Schwannoma: A usually benign tumor of Schwann cells; vestibular schwannoma is another name for acoustic neuroma.

Secondary Endolymphatic Hydrops (SEH): Abnormalities of inner ear fluid pressure in response to trauma, surgery, or other conditions.

Semicircular Canal (SCC): Fluid-filled inner ear ducts that detect rotational (angular) head movements.

Semont Maneuver: A repositioning treatment for posterior canal BPPV.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL): Hearing loss from cochlea or auditory nerve abnormalities.

Spatial Disorientation: Impaired ability to determine body orientation relative to the environment.

Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD): An opening in the bone over the superior semicircular canal causing vestibular and auditory symptoms from sound and pressure.

Syncope: Loss of consciousness.

Temporal Bone: The skull bone containing the inner ear.

Tinnitus: Abnormal sounds (ringing, buzzing, hissing, clicking) heard in one or both ears; may be constant or intermittent.

Tremor: Trembling of the head or limbs.

Trigger: An event or substance that causes or worsens a symptom.

Tulio’s Phenomenon: Vestibular symptoms (vertigo, nystagmus) triggered by sound.

Tympanic Membrane (Eardrum): The structure separating the outer ear canal from the middle ear.

Unilateral: Affecting only one side of the body.

Unilateral Vestibular Loss (UVL): Loss of vestibular function on one side only.

Utricle: An inner ear organ that detects horizontal linear acceleration.

Valium (Diazepam): A benzodiazepine used to reduce vestibular activity with acute vertigo.

Valsalva Maneuver: Forcibly exhaling with the glottis, nose, and mouth closed; used diagnostically.

Vergence: Eye movement in opposite directions to adjust for near or far vision.

Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency: Reduced blood flow through the vertebral and basilar arteries supplying the inner ear and brainstem; a common cause of vertigo in older adults.

Vertigo: A false sensation of spinning — either of yourself or your surroundings.

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs): A test of saccular and inferior vestibular nerve function.

Vestibular Migraine: A migraine subtype causing vestibular symptoms (dizziness, vertigo) with or without headache; affects ~25% of migraine patients.

Vestibular Neuritis: Inflammation of the vestibular nerve causing dizziness or vertigo without hearing changes.

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): Exercise-based therapy designed to reduce vertigo, dizziness, gaze instability, imbalance, and falls.

Vestibular System: The inner ear balance system providing sensory information about motion, equilibrium, and spatial orientation.

Vestibular-Ocular Reflex (VOR): A reflex coordinating the vestibular and visual systems to maintain clear vision during head movement.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve: The eighth cranial nerve that carries hearing and balance signals from the inner ear to the brain. Also called the auditory or acoustic nerve.

Vestibulopathy: Unspecified disease or dysfunction of the vestibular organ.

Videonystagmography (VNG): Video-based measurement of eye movements used to diagnose vestibular disorders.

Visual Fixation: Maintaining visual focus on the same point during head movement.

 

ABOUT VeDA

The Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) has been a highly respected source of scientifically credible information on vestibular disorders for nearly 30 years. Since 2012, VeDA’s website has provided education and community support over 18 million times, reaching millions of vestibular patients with critical information and peer connection. VeDA answers questions and provides education and emotional support to people experiencing vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance; connects patients with specialized healthcare providers through a national provider directory; and advocates to raise awareness and improve healthcare outcomes.

DISCLAIMER: Information is solely shared as a courtesy. All VeDA peer support group leaders are volunteers and are not licensed medical or mental health professionals. Participation in VeDA support groups is voluntary and at your own risk. This information is not a substitute for professional medical care, legal advice, or emergency services. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or contact local law enforcement. For mental health emergencies, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).