Balance Problems

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMPs)

This test measures tiny variations in neck muscle contractions that occur when a sudden burst of sound is introduced to the ear. The linear sensing parts of the inner ear cause a brief relaxation of the muscles in the neck which function to keep the head erect. To record VEMPs, a skin electrode patch is placed over the larger neck muscles and on the forehead. The patient lifts their head from the table while listening to a clicking sound. The electrodes then detect tiny changes in muscle contractions, which are analyzed by a computer.