Specialist care for vertigo, balance, and complex neurology.
Dr. Ian Purcell, MD PhD, leads a dedicated otoneurology practice for patients with vestibular disorders, migraine, and unexplained dizziness — combining clinical neurology with research-grade diagnostics.
Sixteen neurologic & vestibular specialties, each with a patient-ready guide.
Explore conditions we routinely evaluate and treat—from BPPV, Menière's disease, and vestibular migraine to neuropathy and movement disorders—then dive into approachable education tailored to each topic.
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Summarizes diagnosis, symptom patterns, and treatment paths for this specialty so you walk into appointments better informed.
Open patient topic 02 / 16Patient guideGait Ataxia
Gait ataxia is a form of ataxia (lack of muscle control) that affects walking and is characterized by uncoord…
Open patient topic 03 / 16Patient guideHearing Loss
Hearing loss can result from damage to different parts of the ear, including the outer, middle, and inner ear…
Open patient topic 04 / 16Patient guideMeniere’s Disease
Meniere's Disease is a disorder of the inner ear causing severe dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ears (tin…
Open patient topic 05 / 16Patient guideNerve Pain
Nerve pain, or neuropathic pain, is caused by damage or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system. I…
Open patient topic 06 / 16Patient guideNeuromuscular Disorders
Summarizes diagnosis, symptom patterns, and treatment paths for this specialty so you walk into appointments better informed.
Open patient topic 07 / 16Patient guideViral Neuronitis / Labyrinthitis
These conditions involve inflammation of the inner ear or the nerves that connect the ear to the brain, often…
Open patient topic 08 / 16Patient guideNeuropathy
Neuropathy, or peripheral neuropathy, involves damage or dysfunction of one or more nerves, resulting in numb…
Open patient topic 09 / 16Patient guideNystagmus
Nystagmus is defined as any rhythmic, involuntary oscillation of the eyes. It can either be physiological or…
Open patient topic 10 / 16Patient guideOrthostatic Hypotension
Summarizes diagnosis, symptom patterns, and treatment paths for this specialty so you walk into appointments better informed.
Open patient topic 11 / 16Patient guideParkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start gradually,…
Open patient topic 12 / 16Patient guideSleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are conditions that significantly affect an individual's ability to achieve restful, restorat…
Open patient topic 13 / 16Patient guideTinnitus
Tinnitus is characterized by hearing noises in the ears that are not caused by an external source. Types incl…
Open patient topic 14 / 16Patient guideTrigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from…
Open patient topic 15 / 16Patient guideVertigo (BPPV)
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of vertigo that results from dislodged calcium…
Open patient topic 16 / 16Patient guideVestibular Disorders
Vestibular disorders encompass a range of conditions affecting the vestibular system, which is crucial for ma…
Open patient topicResearch-grade testing in a clinical setting.
Our diagnostic suite combines decades of experience with the same instruments used in vestibular research labs — so the cause of your dizziness can be measured, not guessed.
Vertigo Recording Goggles
High-resolution video tracking of eye movement to map vestibular function in detail.
Read more →Videonystagmography (VNG)
Comprehensive battery of eye-movement tests to localize the cause of dizziness.
Read more →Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP)
Quantifies balance under controlled visual and proprioceptive conditions.
Read more →
A clinician-scientist focused on the vestibular system.
Dr. Ian Purcell is a clinical neurologist with an additional focus in otoneurology and headache management. He completed the combined MD/PhD program in Neuroscience at the University of Texas Medical Branch, with six years of NASA-funded research in vestibular neurophysiology.
An aviator and active researcher, Dr. Purcell is involved in the innovation of new vestibular technologies and continues to publish on the vestibular system — bringing that research perspective directly into the exam room.
Eight consecutive years as San Diego's Top Doctor.
Dr. Purcell and Dr. Patel have been recognized by San Diego Magazine for sustained excellence in patient care and clinical innovation.
San Diego specialty otoneurology, by appointment.
7625 Mesa College Drive, Suite 200A
San Diego, CA 92111
- Phone
- (858) 223-2172
- Fax
- (858) 533-8397
- Hours
- Monday – Thursday · 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Insurance
- View accepted plans