Patients with chronic balance problems and dizziness can experience a tremendous handicap in their everyday lives. Normal daily activities are often avoided for fear of bringing on an attack of their symptoms, which can include disorientation, lack of balance, light-headedness, swaying or, in the case of vertigo, a spinning sensation that can be accompanied by nausea. While dizziness and balance disorders can afflict anyone, they are most commonly seen in older patients.

The Human Vestibular (Balance) System

The human balance system is the coordinated effort of several systems: The Vestibular System is the balance portion of the inner ear. This system tells the brain where the head is in space. Visual, or the eyes, and the Somatosensory System (the body and sense of touch) gives the brain information about the movement and stability of the world around us. Our Central Nervous System (the brain) then processes the information. It is conflicting information provided by these systems that results in dizziness or balance problems. The appropriate coordination of all these systems provides us with normal equilibrium.

Electronystagmography (ENG Test)

The balance system is a complex one involving coordination of the vestibular (inner ear), visual (eyes), and the sensory nerves throughout the body. The ENG test is a balance test used to evaluate problems with balance and

equilibrium. The ENG balance tests is actually a battery of tests utilized to diagnose your problem. You will have electrodes placed near your eyes to monitor your eye movements. The first of these tests involves rapid side to side eye movements and following moving targets with your eyes. You will then be moved into different positions to test for dizziness caused by movement or motion. Lastly, a Caloric evaluation will be completed. Caloric testing involves introducing warm and cool water into the ear canal to stimulate a response of the inner ear system. The resulting eye movements are then measured. Patients often feel some movement or turning during Calorics and may feel dizzy. They may not feel different at all. Either response is not uncommon and does not mean anything good or bad about the results. If patients feel movement it is temporary and related to the change in temperature from the caloric irrigation.

Test Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours