Vestibular Testing
Vestibular testing is offered for patients experiencing problems with balance or dizziness. There are a number of tests performed that help determine if there is something wrong with the balance portion of the inner ear. These tests can help isolate dizziness symptoms to a specific cause that can often be treated.
The VNG (videonystagmography) test is the “gold standard” for diagnosis of ear disorders affecting one ear at a time. The VNG test is a visual recording of the eyes during several short tests. The patient also has cool and warm air blown into their ears to cause a brief episode of dizziness. This will be used to determine whether or not dizziness may be due to inner ear disease.
If dizziness is not caused by the inner ear, it might be caused by the brain, by medical disorders such as low blood pressure, high blood pressure, or by psychological problems such as anxiety. To determine this, an ABR (auditory brainstem response) test may be performed. An ABR can also be performed to test hearing in a newborn or a patient with a physical handicap that is unable to participate in a standard hearing test.
ECoG’s are performed for patients who are suspected to have Meniere’s disease. Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes episodes of vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear, and fluctuating hearing loss.
Hearing Tests
Contact our office today to schedule your hearing test with West Virginia ENT specialist and board-certified cosmetic surgeon, Dr. A. James Paine, Jr.
