Name: Neuro-Otology Certificate Course for Neurologists — Yenepoya
Author: Yenepoya Medical College

About the Programme

Dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, oscillopsia and falls make up a significant proportion of neurological consultations — yet vestibular medicine remains under-represented in formal DM training. The Certificate Course in Neuro-Otology for Neurologists is a 100-hour hybrid programme that equips practising and training neurologists with advanced competencies in neuro-otological clinical reasoning, bedside examination, vestibular investigation interpretation and evidence-based management of vestibular and balance disorders.

The course is offered by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yenepoya Medical College (Yenepoya, Deemed to be University, Mangalore) and delivered on the DNB Mentors learning platform.

Programme at a Glance

Format: Hybrid — online learning plus a 2-day in-person hands-on lab
Duration: 100 hours across 4 months
Breakdown: 80 hours theory (online) + 20 hours practical (hands-on)
Eligibility: DM (Neurology), NMC-recognised — or DM Neurology residents
Award: Certificate from Yenepoya Medical College

What You Will Learn

Advanced clinical evaluation of the dizzy patient — a structured, syndrome-first workup for vertigo, dizziness, imbalance and falls.
Bedside examination — HINTS Plus, head impulse test, skew deviation, gait and stance assessment.
Investigation interpretation — vHIT, fHIT, VEMP, VNG, posturography, CCG and neuro-imaging.
Diagnosis & management — BPPV, Ménière’s disease, vestibular migraine, PPPD and bilateral vestibulopathy.
Vestibular rehabilitation — adaptation, habituation and substitution, applied to neurological patients.

How You Will Learn

Pre-recorded lectures (asynchronous) — module-wise lectures posted weekly on a dedicated learning portal; learn at your own pace, with formative assignments and MCQs throughout the programme.
Live online interactive sessions (weekly) — 2–3 hours each week of mentored, faculty-led case discussions, Q&A and vestibular sign interpretation.
Hands-on offline lab (2 days) — an intensive workshop covering examination, positional manoeuvres, instrumental interpretation and rehabilitation planning. Venue and dates will be intimated well in advance.

Curriculum — 12 Modules

Twelve modules organised into four parts — from neural substrate, through examination and clinical syndromes, to rehabilitation.

#	Module	Key focus areas
1	Vestibular Neuroanatomy & Systems Physiology	Semicircular canal & otolith transduction; vestibulo-ocular & vestibulo-spinal reflexes
2	Ocular Motor Network	Brainstem gaze centres; neural integrator; cerebellar ocular motor signatures
3	Nystagmus: Pattern Recognition & Localisation	Classification; peripheral vs central differentiation; head-shake & gaze-evoked nystagmus
4	Syndrome-Based Approach (AVS / EVS / CVS)	Acute, episodic & chronic vestibular syndromes; red flags; stroke protocol
5	Advanced Bedside Neuro-Otological Examination	Ocular motor exam; head impulse test; skew deviation; gait & stance assessment
6	Acute Vestibular Syndrome	HINTS Plus; AICA/PICA infarction; MRI DWI limitations; acute management
7	Positional Vertigo — BPPV	Dix–Hallpike; horizontal canal variants; multi-canal BPPV; canal-specific manoeuvres
8	Central Positional Vertigo & Central Vestibular Syndromes	Downbeat nystagmus; MS & demyelination; cerebellar degenerations
9	Episodic Vestibular Disorders	Vestibular migraine; Ménière’s disease; vestibular paroxysmia; TIA risk stratification
10	Chronic Dizziness, PPPD & Functional Overlays	PPPD criteria; visual dependence; DHI/VSS scales; multimodal treatment
11	Bilateral Vestibulopathy & Neurodegenerative Balance Disorders	CANVAS; ototoxicity; cerebellar ataxia differentiation; fall prevention
12	Vestibular Rehabilitation for Neurologists	Adaptation, habituation, substitution; rehab in stroke, PD, cerebellar degeneration

Hands-On Training (2 Days · 20 Hours)

Day 1 — Clinical Skills (10 hrs): clinical neuro-otological examination; positional tests and manoeuvres; HINTS Plus; standardised documentation.

Day 2 — Instrumental & Rehabilitation (10 hrs): VNG / COG, stabilometry, CCG; fHIT and vHIT interpretation; rehabilitation planning sessions; case-based management workshops.

Venue and dates for the hands-on sessions will be intimated well in advance. 100% attendance is mandatory for certification.

Assessment

50 theory MCQs
50 skills & interpretation items
50% cumulative pass criteria

Certification Requirements

≥ 80% attendance in online live sessions (mandatory)
100% attendance in the hands-on sessions — both days (mandatory)
Formative assessment via module-wise online assignments/MCQs throughout the programme
Certificate awarded by Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University)

Faculty

Dr Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam — Course Co-ordinator; Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Yenepoya Medical College, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore. Contact: vestibularcourses_ent@yenepoya.edu.in

Eminent internal and invited faculty from across the discipline will contribute to selected modules and the hands-on lab.