Dizziness and balance problems can be caused by many different reasons
Medications
Details prescribed drugs, dosages, and any known side effects or risks.
Orthopedic Problems
Covers bone, joint, and muscle issues impacting movement or causing pain.
Cardiovascular Issues
Lists heart and blood vessel conditions affecting circulation and function.
Otologic Issues
Describes ear-related conditions that affect hearing and balance systems.
Neurological Disorders
Outlines brain, nerve, and spinal issues impairing function or sensation.
Endocrinology Conflicts
Covers hormone imbalances impacting glands, growth, or metabolism.
During a VNG test, your eye movements are recorded while you follow visual targets and experience changes in head and body position. It’s a non-invasive way to assess how well your inner ear and brain help you keep your balance.
Arrive Early To Your Appointment
Please arrive at least fifteen minutes early to your appointment so that we can check you in and get ready for the appointment with you. We’ll ask a few questions about your dizziness and balance issues and see if we can start to deduce the cause of the dizziness challenges before getting into the testing phase.
We also recommend that you do not wear makeup or any kind of facial lotion to the clinic; products on the face can interfere with the tests and provide inaccurate results. Wear comfortable clothing, as you will be placed in various positions on an exam table. Please do not drink alcohol or caffeine 48 hours before your appointment.
The VNG test will take 1-2 hours to complete.
The VNG Test
The VNG evaluates how the peripheral and central balance systems are working and can help narrow down the causes for your balance issues. The patient wears goggles to track and record eye movement in response to different tasks, such as following a light on a screen, moving in different positions, and sitting still. By testing your eye movement with different tasks, we can see how your vision reacts to stimuli and whether your dizziness is caused by rapid eye movement or physical movement.
The last portion of the testing involves blowing warm and cool air into the ear canal to elicit a dizzy response to see how stimulus to your ear canal and eardrum affects your balance. All patients feel normal after the testing and are able to continue daily activities, including driving home afterwards.
It is important to note that the VNG does not always provide specific, localized information; rather, it gives the audiologist a sense of where in the vestibular system the problem lies. This will help your audiologist make treatment recommendations specific to your condition so that you can get back on your feet without the anxiety of dizziness.
Results & Next Steps
Once all results are obtained, your audiologist will discuss their findings with you and work with you to create a treatment plan to address any balance or vestibular disorders. This may involve referrals for additional testing or to various specialists for further management. Typically, patients receive their results on the same day of testing.
