Dizziness Handicap Inventory

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If you think you might have BPPV, complete this DHI (Dizziness Handicap Inventory) to see how severe your symptoms are.

The "Dizziness Handicap Inventory" (DHI) is a validated tool used to asses the degree of disability associated with any cause of dizziness.

Circumstances that may exacerbate symptoms include rapid temperature changes (like a hot shower or freezer section of the grocery store), fluorescent lighting, loud environments, watching TV with rapid camera movement, seeing someone 'talk with their hands', or driving down a road with shadows and bright spots caused by trees. Altitude changes, wind currents, pressure changes and being over-tired may also worsen symptoms.

Symptoms of BPPV are almost always precipitated by a change in head position. Getting out of bed and rolling over in bed are two common "problem" motions. Some people feel dizzy and unsteady when they tip their heads back to look up. An intermittent pattern of these symptoms is usual. About 20% of all dizziness is due to BPPV. The most common cause of BPPV in people under age 50 is head injury. About 50% of dizziness in older people is due to BPPV. In half of all cases, BPPV is idiopathic, which means that it occurs for no known reason. BPPV is also associated with migraine.

Most practices that evaluate substantial numbers of dizzy patients use questionnaires to quantify symptoms. One of the most commonly used "standardized questionnaires" is the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Developed by Dr. G.P. Jacobson and Dr. C.W. Newman, 1990.

1. Does looking up increase your problem? Yes Sometimes No 2. Because of your problem, do you feel frustrated? Yes Sometimes No 3. Because of your problem, do you restrict your travel for business or recreation? Yes Sometimes No 4. Does walking down the aisle of a supermarket increase your problem? Yes Sometimes No 5. Because of your problem, do you have difficulty getting into or out of bed? Yes Sometimes No 6. Does your problem significantly restrict your participation in social activities such as going out to dinner,going to movies, dancing, or to parties? Yes Sometimes No 7. Because of your problem, do you have difficulty reading? Yes Sometimes No 8. Does performing more ambitious activities like sports, dancing, household chores such as sweeping or putting dishes away increase your problem? Yes Sometimes No 9. Because of your problem, are you afraid to leave your home without having some one accompany you? Yes Sometimes No 10. Because of your problem, have you been embarrassed in front of others? Yes Sometimes No 11. Do quick movements of your head increase your problem? Yes Sometimes No 12. Because of your problem, do you avoid heights? Yes Sometimes No 13. Does turning over in bed increase your problem? Yes Sometimes No 14. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to do strenuous housework or yardwork? Yes Sometimes No 15. Because of your problem, are you afraid people may think you are intoxicated? Yes Sometimes No 16. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to walk by yourself? Yes Sometimes No 17. Does walking down a sidewalk increase your problem? Yes Sometimes No 18. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to concentrate? Yes Sometimes No 19. Because of your problem, is it difficult for you to walk around your house in the dark? Yes Sometimes No 20. Because of your problem, are you afraid to stay home alone? Yes Sometimes No 21. Because of your problem, do you feel handicapped? Yes Sometimes No 22. Has your problem placed stress on your relationships with members of your family or friends? Yes Sometimes No 23. Because of your problem, are you depressed? Yes Sometimes No 24. Does your problem interfere with your job or household responsibilities? Yes Sometimes No 25. Does bending over increase your problem? Yes Sometimes No