Balance Problems

Diagnosis

Individuals who experience balance problems such as episodes of spinning, periods of light-headedness, trouble focusing the eyes on objects, double vision and/or poor balance or falls, should see their physician. Patients who exhibit these symptoms may be given one or more of the following vestibular and balance tests.

Hearing Tests

Hearing tests such as pure tone testing, air and bone conduction, and speech and immittance help physicians determine whether balance disorders and dizziness are caused by problems of the inner ear.

Posturography Tests

Posturography This test tells the physician which parts of the balance system (visual, vestibular or somatosensory) the patient relies on the most.

Electronystagmograph Tests

Electronystagmography (ENG) An ENG test analyzes eye movements to check how well the inner ear balance mechanism works.

Rotary-Chair Tests

Rotary-chair testing Patients sits in a computer-controlled chair that moves very slowly in a full circle.

Dix-Hallpike Tests

Dix-Hallpike tests are noninvasive positional procedures used to accurately determine if a person has benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials Test

Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) tests utilize electrodes to measure tiny changes in neck muscle contractions.

Other Tests

Other tests that may be ordered include: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scan, blood tests and cardiac function tests.