Balance Testing Using Videonystagmography

For individuals having difficulties with their balance and equilibrium, videonystagmography (VNG) is a valuable diagnostic procedure that is simple and painless, and it can help determine the cause of dizziness symptoms.

The VNG test uses a camera to track quick eye movements (called nystagmus) in response to certain visual cues and positional changes. This information is valuable because there are neural pathways that connect the balance mechanism of the inner ear to the muscles of the eye. A disorder of the balance mechanism can result in quick eye movements that can only be detected with advanced optics.

In our testing, a camera attached to a pair of goggles worn by the patient records eye movement as the patient looks back and forth between designated points, tracks moving lights, and moves the head and body into different positions in a dark room.

The final portion of the test involves the insertion of cool and warm air into the ear to determine if the balance system is responding predictably to temperature stimulation.

Because the hearing and balance functions of your inner ear are so closely related, we routinely administer a hearing test before VNG to assess the condition of this system.

Balance Testing Using Videonystagmography