Balance & Vestibular Testing

With such a wide range of hearing and balance disorders, many of which have similar symptoms, it’s important for an audiologist to make an accurate diagnosis in order to come up with a successful treatment plan. Diagnostic testing plays an important role in determining the condition responsible for a patient’s suffering.

Types of Diagnostic Balance Tests

There are a number of diagnostic tests available, ranging from X-rays and CT scans to more in-depth tests. Here are some of the most common:

• Electrocochleography. This test is used to determine whether there is excess fluid in the inner ear by measuring the electrical currents generated by sound stimulation, and can help with the diagnosis of Meniere’s disease and other balance and hearing disorders.
• Posturography. This balance test measures the effectiveness of the somatosensory system, vestibular system, and vision to determine which area(s) to focus on when treating a balance disorder.

These diagnostic tests are quick, painless, and can help us diagnose and evaluate a variety of hearing and balance disorders.

Videonystagmography (VNG) Diagnostic Testing

VNG testing, is an exam of the balance system. It is used to determine the cause of a patient’s dizziness. Specifically, it measures whether a balance disorder can be attributed to a vestibular deficit (inner ear disease).

VNG testing uses a combination of video goggles and infrared cameras to measure involuntary eye movements, called nystagmus. Neural connections extend from the balance mechanism in the inner ear to the muscles of the eye.

There are generally four parts to VNG testing; in addition to evaluating rapid eye movements, a tracking test measures eye movements as they follow a visual target, a positional test measures dizziness in relation to different head positions and a caloric test evaluates responses to warm and cold water introduced through a tube in the ear canal.

Testing is non-invasive and usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. There may be episodes of brief dizziness and some minor discomfort from the goggles, but otherwise you’re unlikely to experience side effects.

These tests may be combined with additional hearing or diagnostic tests depending on the results.