Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) Online Calculator
The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) is a 25-item self-assessment tool used to evaluate the debilitating impact of dizziness and balance disorders on someone’s daily life. Originally developed in 1990 by Jacobson and Newman, it evaluates three domains: functional, emotional, and physical. Responses are scored as “yes” (4 points), “sometimes” (2 points), or “no” (0 points), producing a total score from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate a more severe handicap.
The DHI is widely used in vestibular rehabilitation, audiology, and otolaryngology to establish baseline symptom impact and monitor changes over time. Its reliability, validity, ease of administration, and availability in multiple languages have supported its broad use in clinical practice and research across a range of vestibular and balance disorders. Learn more about the research that created the DHI or learn more about the development of the pediatric DHI.
Why use the DHI?
The Dizziness Handicap Inventory helps clinicians understand how dizziness affects a patient’s daily life. It looks at the physical, emotional, and functional impact of dizziness, which can provide useful context beyond vestibular testing alone. The DHI may be helpful when evaluating patients with dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, known vestibular disorders, or fear of movement. It can also be used to track patient-reported change over time during treatment.
Common Clinical Uses
Clinicians may use the DHI to:
- Assess how much dizziness affects daily life
- Identify physical, emotional, and functional areas affected by symptoms
- Support baseline documentation and care planning
- Guide vestibular rehabilitation goals
- Measure patient-reported change over time
- Document functional progress during treatment
Online DHI Calculator
Please mark the box Yes, Sometimes, or No to each question as it relates to your dizziness.
Copyright: Jacobson GP, Newman CW The development of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Archives of Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery 1990 Apr;116(4):424-7. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1990.01870040046011
Used with permission from Dr. Gary Jacobson
Looking for a printable PDF version?
Our design team has made improvements to the visual design of the standard questionnaire and we are providing this free of charge. This information is relevant for clinicians looking to improve their understanding of the impact that dizziness has had on your daily activities. Download the printable PDF version of the dizziness questionnaire.