Department of Otolaryngology

Vestibular Testing

Electronystagmography/Videonystagmography (ENG/VNG)
ENG is a test designed to examine the cause of dizziness. Several electrodes are taped around the eyes to detect jerky eye movements called "nystagmus." Newer technology called videonystagmography (VNG) utilizes infrared video signals to detect eye movements. We are using this newer technology. Abnormalities of peripheral (ear) or central vestibular (brain) systems can be detected. The entire testing takes a little over an hour and must be performed without the influence of dizziness suppressing medications.

Balance Assessment
In addition to VNG, the more global balance and postural mechanisms can be evaluated by placing the patient in a standing-upright position under different feedback conditions. For example, the patient is asked to stand up and stay still with eyes open at one time and with eyes closed at another time. Under another condition, the patient is asked to stand on an unsteady surface (e.g., a foam pad, or slightly tilted surface), again with eyes open vs. with eyes closed. Testing can be best performed with assistance of a sophisticated computer analysis paradigm termed dynamic posturography.