Tests & Treatments for Dizziness & Vertigo

Tests for Dizziness & Vertigo

Videonystagmography (VNG)

The VNG test records eye movements with a camera attached to a pair of goggles placed over the eyes. Your audiologist will ask you to track the movement of light on a wall in front you, then from a series of different positions (sitting, lying down, head to the right and left), after which warm and cool water is flushed into the ear canals.

Rotational Chair

The rotational chair test also records eye movements with a camera attached to eye goggles and is often done at the same time as the VNG test. The camera focuses on the pupil (darkest part of the eye). The chair sways slowly during the test as the camera records eye movements.

Posturography

The posturography test measures your balance. You will don a safety harness and stand on a platform that sways back and forth slowly.

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)

The ABR test measures how well your auditory nerve is working. The auditory nerve transmits signals from the cochlea (the organ that translates sounds into nerve impulses) to the brain, where the signals are interpreted. You will have electrodes placed behind the earlobes and on the forehead, and then listen through earphones for sounds.

Electrocochleography (ECoG)

The ECG test measures activity in your inner ear. As with the ABR test, you will have electrodes placed behind the earlobes and on the forehead, but another will be placed in your ear canal. You will then listen through earphones for sounds.

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP)

The VEMP test assesses the saccule, a part of your balance system that senses gravity. You will have electrodes placed on your forehead, the sides of your neck and on your chest. You will listen for a sound as you turn your head as far as possible to the left or right.

Treatments for Dizziness & Vertigo

If your vertigo persists, your doctor may prescribe exercises to help your brain adapt to the sensations of dizziness (vestibular rehabilitation therapy). A rehabilitation specialist will help you learn the exercises, which you will perform at home several times a day. The exercises increase in difficulty until you regain the highest level of balance.

Depending on the cause of the vertigo, your doctor may also prescribe medications or changes in your diet.