Heel Toe Test - Can You Do It?? - Inner Ear Disorders Message Board

I Robertson · 08-19-2003, 07:34 AM

Hi ya all - quick question - Brina rasied teh subject of doing a heel to toe test (where you walk with one foot directly in front of the other) first with eyes open then shut. Can you all do this. I can only do it with my eyes open - I feel awful with my eyes shut and feel unable to do it - how about you?

scant5 · 08-19-2003, 09:19 AM

I can do this test fine with my eyes open and pretty good on a flat surface, but on an incline, it can be pretty tough. However, my husband has a hard time with this one so I suspect somewhere down the road after many years of not wearing ear protection and his constant battle with tinnitus, he could have a slight balance problem himself. I practice this walk every evening. Lots of times I rely on my dogs to make sure all goes well.....don't trust them especially the 14 month old....

Kathy

I Robertson · 08-19-2003, 09:41 AM

Hi Scant - thanks for your response - you were the one who nearly fell in the ditch right practising this!! that was a funny story. Can you do it with your eyes closed?

Emsybobs · 08-19-2003, 10:19 AM

I can do it slowly with eyes open but v v difficult with eyes shut, can't do it. xxx

brina · 08-19-2003, 10:35 AM

hi all,

the heel toe test is with eyes open only........then with the eyes closed i had to walk 'normal' toward the prof to see if i veered off left or right.... for me it was to the left which indicates a prob in that ear....apparently..........

take care

brina