AUDIOLOGY

Vestibular

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Rotary Chair / Patient Instructions / Posturography /

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials

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VNG/ENG

    A Videonystagmography (VNG)/Electronystagmography (ENG) test is recommended for persons who have dizziness or balance problems. It is used to help determine the cause of your balance difficulties. A VNG/ENG measures the response of the vestibular system. The patient may experience some dizziness during the testing.

    The balance system works by contributing information from the inner ear, vision, and physical movements/sensations. A VNG/ENG measures the balance system's reactions to stimulation from the inner ear, vision, movements and positions. The audiologist who performs the VNG/ENG will measure the vestibular system reactions by either of the following methods:

1. by having the patient wear a special pair of lenses or goggles (VNG).

2. by taping sensors (electrodes) to the face (ENG), which measures eye movements.

    There are three basic portions to the VNG/ENG:

• Sitting and watching lights move on a light bar.

• Sitting and lying in various positions with the eyes closed and eyes open.

• Having cool and warm water or air alternately put into each ear.

    The VNG/ENG takes 1 ½ to 2 hours to perform.

Rotary Chair

    A Rotary Chair test is recommended for persons who have dizziness or balance problems. It is used to help determine the cause and balance disability. A rotary chair test measures the severity of the vestibular response to motion (chair and head rotation). Some dizziness may be experienced during testing.

    The balance system works by combining information from the inner ear, vision, and physical sensations and movements. A rotary chair test measures the balance system's reaction to stimulation from motion. The patient will be seated in a small, dark room. The patient will sit in a special chair with seatbelts and shoulder straps. The patient is able to speak to and hear the audiologist during testing. The audiologist who performs the rotary chair test will measure the balance system reactions by having the patient wear a special headset with a pair of clear lenses over the eyes. The chair will move slowly back and forth or in circles. At other times the chair will be still and the patient will watch stripes or dots move as they are projected on the wall. Rotary chair testing takes approximately one hour.

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Patient Instructions

    Before the VNG/ENG or Rotary Chair test please tell your physician and the audiologist if you have previously have had any of the following:

• Heart or blood pressure problems

• Heart pacemaker, especially an intracardiac catheter or pacemaker with exposed leads

• Neck and back problems, especially difficulty turning or tipping the head

• Hearing loss

• Serious vision problems including; legal blindness, lens replacement, artificial eye

• Seizures

• Stroke or a neurological disorder

• Cerumen (ear wax) build up or impaction

• Skin allergies to adhesive tape, rubbing alcohol, or any type of soap

• Claustrophobia

    Other instructions:

• Do not wear make-up, eye liner or mascara to the appointment

• Do not eat for at least four hours prior to the appointment

• Do not drink alcohol or use any recreational drugs for at least 48 hours before the appointment

• Do not drink tea, coffee, cola, or anything else with caffeine for 24 hours before the appointment

• Do not take any barbiturates, sedatives, tranquilizers, stimulants, antidepressants, antihistamines, or anti-dizziness medications for 24 hours before the appointment. If you take anticonvulsant or antidepressant medications, please consult your physician before discontinuing use. It is acceptable to take antibiotics, heart and blood pressure medications, and medications for diabetes or kidney disease.

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Posturography

    Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) is a type of vestibular assessment that focuses on the function of the balance system in maintaining postural stability in a variety of simulated conditions. Preparation for testing includes wearing easy to remove footwear also pants or shorts are preferable due to the use of a body harness.

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials

    Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) are short latency electromyograms (EMG) evoked by high-level acoustic stimuli and recorded from surface electrodes over the contracted sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle and are presumed to originate in the saccule and or inferior vestibular nerve. The test involves the patient turning their head to one side and listening to loud sounds, while responses are recorded from the SCM muscle. This test takes approximately 30-45 minutes and is part of the ENG/Vestibular test battery.

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Contact

Hours:

Monday - Friday

8 a.m. - 5p.m.

The Carls Center for Clinical Care and Education

Audiology Department

Health Professions Building 1101

Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859

Phone or TTY: (989) 774-3904

Fax: (989) 774-1891

Email:  flora1cl@cmich.edu

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