How Can You Avoid the Risk of a Fall? Find Out How Balance Testing Can Help.

Electronystagmography (ENG) testing

Electronystagmography (ENG) is often referred to as “Balance Testing.” ENG is popular in part because it’s also incredibly flexible. ENG diagnostics can test for a multitude of balance disorders.

During an ENG test, you will be fitted with special goggles or a headpiece. This device will be equipped with tiny cameras that will closely watch and monitor your eye movement. By exposing your eyes to various types of visual stimuli, ENG diagnostics can collect a wide range of data concerning how you and your body handle balance.

Electrodes placed on the head will also collect data regarding how your inner ear is collecting and transmitting electrical signals. That way, if there’s a problem with the inner ear, the diagnostic will identify it. 

During your ENG test:

• Electrodes will be placed on your forehead and around your eyes. 
• Cameras will be positioned to closely monitor and record your eye movements.
• During the test, you’ll probably be asked to look up, down, or follow the movements of a dot of light. Some tests may vary. For example, you might first be asked to watch a stationary white dot against a black background. The progression of visual tasks will change depending on your symptoms.
• Your ear may be exposed to water or warm air, depending on the type of test.
• All of the data gathered will be recorded and fed into the diagnostic device. Your specialist can use this data to make a diagnosis or refer to more testing.

After your ENG test, you should avoid rubbing your eyes (paste is used to attach the electrodes, and you don’t want to spread that paste around). While an ENG diagnostic is not in any way painful, you may experience dizziness or nausea both during and after the procedure. As a result, many individuals who come in for testing are instructed to ask a family member to drive them to and from the procedure. 

ENG testing can be used to uncover a wide variety of issues, including vertigo, inner ear problems, Meniere’s disease, and more.

Electrocochleography (ECOG) testing

A special diagnostic called electrocochleography (or ECOG) is used to measure the amount of electrical potentials in the cochlea as it responds to sound. In this way, an ECOG diagnostic is similar to a VEMP test. During an ECOG test, a specialist will be able to get a sense of the pressure in your inner ear and, as a result, detect any distention of the basilar membrane.

This can help balance specialists better understand the source and the cause of your dizziness or vertigo. During an ECOG test, you will:

• Lie or sit in a reclined position.
• Have an electrode placed on your forehead and a foam electrode placed in your ear canal.
• Listen to the clicking sounds played during the test.

Some of the sounds may be loud, but an ECOG test should never be uncomfortable. There are no lingering effects from an ECOG test.

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) testing

In general, Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (or VEMP) testing is used to discover uncommon or unusual causes of your balance issues. This test is designed to monitor the signals sent between your inner ear and your brain. In particular, VEMP testing is looking at your vestibular nerve (located within your inner ear), which is responsible for sending balance-related messages to your brain.

During a VEMP test, you will:

• Sit in a reclined position with electrodes placed on your and your neck.
• Listen to knocking sounds.
• Lift your head slightly in various directions.

The whole procedure usually takes 60 minutes or less. 

During the diagnostic, the VEMP testing will localize which side of your head (or which ear) is causing the balance issues. In this way, VEMP testing can be useful in diagnosing Meniere’s Disease, Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence, and Perilymphatic fistula.

VEMP testing is completely non-invasive, and there are no lingering effects.