What happens during a balance test?Balance testing may be done by a primary health care provider or a specialist in disorders of the ear. These include:An audiologist, a health care provider who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing hearing loss.An otolaryngologist (ENT), a doctor specializing in treating diseases and conditions of the ears, nose, and throat.Diagnosing balance disorders usually requires several tests. You may get one or more of the following tests:Electronystagmography (ENG) and videonystagmography (VNG) tests. These tests record and measure your eye movements. Your vision system needs to work right for you to have good balance. During the test:You will sit in an exam chair in a dark room.You will be asked to look at and follow patterns of light on a screen.You will be asked to move into different positions as you watch this light pattern.Then warm and cool water or air will be put in each ear. This should cause the eyes to move in specific ways. If the eyes don't respond in these ways, it may mean there is damage to the nerves of the inner ear.Rotary test, also known as a rotary chair test. This test also measures your eye movements. During this test:You will sit in a computer-controlled, motorized chair.You will put on special goggles that will record your eye movements as the chair slowly moves back and forth and in a circle.Posturography, also known as computerized dynamic posturography (CDP). This test measures your ability to maintain balance while standing. During this test:You will stand barefoot on a platform, wearing a safety harness.There will be a landscape screen around you.The platform will move around to test your ability to remain standing on a moving surface.Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) test. This test measures how certain muscles respond in reaction to sound. It can show if there is a problem in your inner ear. During this test:You will recline in a chair.You will put on earphones.Sensor pads will be attached to your neck, forehead, and under your eyes. These pads will record your muscle movements.Clicks and/or bursts of tones will be sent to your earphones.While the sound is playing, you'll be asked to lift your head or eyes for short periods of time.Dix hallpike maneuver. This test measures how your eye reacts to abrupt movements. During this test:Your provider will move you quickly from sitting to lying down position and/or move your head in different positions.Your provider will check your eye movements to see if you have a false sense of motion or spinning.A newer version of this test is called a video head impulse test (vHIT). During a vHIT test, you'll wear goggles that record your eye movements while a provider gently turns your head in different positions.You may also get one or more hearing tests, since many balance disorders are related to hearing problems.
