Are above three one and the same?
I think that neurotologists and otologists are the same? they are ENTs who have fellowship training in ear and balance problems. otoneurologists are neurologists who have special training in ear and balance problems. i think that is right??? to treat mav the best person would be an otoneurologist- the others won’t usually know that much about the medications- they can probably diagnose you but might not be able to treat you.
otologists are not the same. They specialize in diseases of the ear, but do not have the cross training in neurology. Neuro-otology and Otoneurology are two different terms for the same specialty, as far as I know. http://www.masseyeandear.org/specialties/otolaryngology/otoneurology/ use the two terms interchangeably.
Some use “otoneurologist” and “neuro-otologist” (or neurotologist) interchangeably, but actually they are different. Sarah got it right–otoneurologists are NEUROLOGISTS by training, with additional training/interest in the inner ear and its connections to the brain. Neuro-otologists are ENTs by training (surgeons) with additional training/interest in the inner ear and its connections to the brain.
An otoneurologist should be the ideal person to treat migraine-related dizziness, but I think it really depends on the practitioner and their knowledge and interest. I don’t think all otoneurologists are created equal in their knowledge of and interest in vestibular migraine. Certainly the same with neuro-otologists (also spelled neurotologist).
An otologist is an ear specialist generally; a neuro-otologist is a specialist in the INNER ear (including dizziness and hearing loss). I am not sure, but I think the American Board of Otolaryngology gives an added certification in “otology/neurotology” for those who have the additional neuro training.
If you’re looking for a doctor, best thing is to ask on this board for recommendations in your area, and also call your nearest teaching hospital, ask your primary-care doctor, and look around on the Web. Here are some links that might be helpful, although this does NOT mean that ALL these folks listed are going to know about VM.
americanneurotologysociety.c … rstate.pdf
vestibular.org/finding-help-supp … -directory
robbmd.com/ent/resources.cfm … urologists
And, OF COURSE, check out this topic on our forum here…
Nancy
— Begin quote from “Nancy W”
Some use “otoneurologist” and “neuro-otologist” (or neurotologist) interchangeably, but actually they are different. Sarah got it right–otoneurologists are NEUROLOGISTS by training, with additional training/interest in the inner ear and its connections to the brain. Neuro-otologists are ENTs by training (surgeons) with additional training/interest in the inner ear and its connections to the brain.
An otoneurologist should be the ideal person to treat migraine-related dizziness, but I think it really depends on the practitioner and their knowledge and interest. I don’t think all otoneurologists are created equal in their knowledge of and interest in vestibular migraine. Certainly the same with neuro-otologists (also spelled neurotologist).
An otologist is an ear specialist generally; a neuro-otologist is a specialist in the INNER ear (including dizziness and hearing loss). I am not sure, but I think the American Board of Otolaryngology gives an added certification in “otology/neurotology” for those who have the additional neuro training.
If you’re looking for a doctor, best thing is to ask on this board for recommendations in your area, and also call your nearest teaching hospital, ask your primary-care doctor, and look around on the Web. Here are some links that might be helpful, although this does NOT mean that ALL these folks listed are going to know about VM.
americanneurotologysociety.c … rstate.pdf
vestibular.org/finding-help-supp … -directory
robbmd.com/ent/resources.cfm … urologists
And, OF COURSE, check out this topic on our forum here…
Nancy
— End quote
Very interesting, thank you! I wonder why some hospitals use otoneurology and neuro-otology as interchangeable, e.g. both being a neurological subspecialty of otolaryngology. Is there a regional difference in terminology or do some lump them together to make it less confusing for potential patients?
Thank you Nancy for the detailed answer. Unfortunately I live in a backward area of India. There are no neurotologists or otoneurologists here. I can find only ENTs. 
Sorry to hear that, methanol. Still, there must be some ENTs throughout India with an interest in dizziness and migraine. Are you able to travel?
Dizzyforlife, I don’t know why Mass Eye and Ear uses the terms interchangeably; their site refers to otoneurology but then says it’s sometimes called neuro-otology. Yet their specialists listed in that service are all board-certified in neurology. Weird.
To me it doesn’t make sense to conflate neurotologists with otoneurologists, any more than to conflate ENTs with neurologists.
Nancy, I am able to do almost everything normal healthy people can. But the thing is that this 24/7 unsteadiness/rocking bothers me a lot. I am currently seeing an ENT who specializes in otology but she seems quite inexperienced. Here is her web site-
vertigoandearclinic.com/
Her site says she’s done a fellowship in otology and neurotology, which is what ENTs here do, too, as far as I know. So it sounds like she’s a real neurotologist. The right person to see. (Although, of course, even such specialists can differ greatly among themselves as to knowledge, interests, experiences, and “favorite” diagnoses; I think a lot depends on WHO they trained under and how open-minded and curious they themselves are.)
Best of luck to you,
Nancy