The Brainport® Balance Device
- What is the BrainPort Balance Device?
- Who Should Use the BrainPort Balance Device?
- How Does the BrainPort Balance Device Work?
- Can Electrical Stimulation Hurt My Tongue?
- What Are the Benefits of BrainPort Balance Device Therapy?
- How Can I Obtain the BrainPort Balance Device?
What is the BrainPort Balance Device?
The BrainPort balance device is a medical device that provides information about your head/body position through gentle electrical stimulation of your tongue. The BrainPort balance device is non-surgical, effective, and easy to use.
Who Should Use the BrainPort Balance Device?
The BrainPort device can be used for treatment of a wide range of balance disorders. If you are suffering from
- Bilateral or Unilateral Vestibular Dysfunction
- Ménière’s Disease
- Endolymphatic Hydrops
- Labyrinthitis/Vestibular Neuritis
- Uncompensated Perilymphatic Fistula
- Ototoxicity
- Balance deficits following Acoustic Neuroma resection/radiation
- Vestibular Migraine
- Mal de Debarquement Syndrome
- Dizziness of unknown origin
or other balance disorders, you can greatly benefit from the therapeutic effects of this treatment.
How Does the BrainPort Balance Device Work?
The BrainPort device provides precise information about head/body position via electrotactile stimulation of your tongue. Electrotactile stimulation refers to controlled, gentle electrical impulses. These impulses provide sensory information about the position of your head/body. Impulses on the right side of your tongue mean you are leaning to the right; impulses on the left side of your tongue mean you are leaning to the left, etc. You use this information to help improve your balance and posture.
Can Electrical Stimulation Hurt My Tongue?
You can adjust the intensity of the stimulation to your comfort level. Patients have reported that the impulses feel like champagne bubbles on their tongue. The BrainPort balance device has been tested to applicable safety standards. In over five years of use, we have received no reports of injury to the tongue.
What Are the Benefits of BrainPort Balance Device Therapy?
The BrainPort balance device is a non-surgical treatment device that helps you improve your balance. It is small and lightweight so you can transport it easily. The device is also easy to operate and use at home. Patients who are unhappy with their results from other balance treatments or rehabilitation can improve their balance with BrainPort device training.
Treatment with the BrainPort balance device consists of 20 minute training sessions, twice a day. Patients who use the device consistently show improvements on standardized balance assessments. With improved balance, patients enjoy an enhanced quality of life and ability to perform every day tasks with ease.
How Can I Obtain the BrainPort Balance Device?
Ask your Doctor or Physiotherapist whether BrainPort balance device training is the right option for your balance problem.
For a list of clinics providing BrainPort training in Canada, click here. Contact the Physiotherapy clinic nearest you to schedule your individualized training. Clinic Training is required prior to using a BrainPort balance device. Following clinic training, you can continue training with the device at home.
