A videonystagmography (VNG) is a balance test that can help us figure out why a patient is experiencing imbalance or dizziness. After a thorough case history has been taken, the patient will sit in a chair and wear a pair of goggles that have cameras attached to them which record their eye movements. The goggles look like a pair of ski goggles with a cord attached to them.

Depending on if the patient has had a hearing test prior to the balance test, the patient may receive a hearing evaluation prior to the balance assessment.

There are three sections of a VNG:

1. Watching images on a screen
2. Body movements while remaining in the exam chair (lying down, turning your head to the left and right, etc.)
3. Testing part of the balance portion of the ears. This test is called caloric testing.

Electrocochleography is a way the electrical potentials in the inner ear can be measured when stimulated by sound. This test is used to determine if the inner ear has an excessive amount of fluid pressure. An individual who has an excessive amount of fluid pressure may experience symptoms such as hearing loss, aural pressure, tinnitus, and/or dizziness.

Patients who are having this test completed can expect have some electrodes placed on their head and a small electrode placed in their ear canal. Sounds will be played into the patient’s ear and electrical activity will be recorded.

VEMP offers method of testing otolith (saccule and utricle) function and potentially both branches of the vestibular nerve. A patient will wear head phones and have electrodes placed on their head and neck. Responses will be recorded via the electrodes.