VNG Testing at VRT Los Angeles

VNG is a balance test that measures involuntary eye movement. It's a crucial tool for identifying why a patient is suffering from dizziness, vertigo, balance issues and related symptoms. It's also able to differentiate between peripheral and central nervous system dysfunction, two causes that require two very different approaches to correct.

VRT Los Angeles' state-of-the-art, thorough VNG testing determines the root cause of your symptoms and helps us build a customized rehabilitation program designed to help you take back control of your life and balance.

VNG testing is tech savvy, involving goggles, an infrared camera and a computer that work together to track eye movement while providing visual stimuli. VNG operates in three parts: ocular testing, positional testing and caloric testing. It's often accompanied by a hearing test to provide thorough evaluation.

Ocular testing involves following dots on a screen. It evaluates your vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which serves the purpose of keeping your gaze stable while your head is moving. VOR is a natural reflex that, for neurological reasons, can become impaired. Ocular testing identifies which motions trigger symptoms and whether or not you suffer from nystagmus, a type of involuntary eye movement.

Positional testing involves moving your head and body around while wearing special goggles and checking for nystagmus. This testing determines if your symptoms stem from certain head positions, and if you have BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo).

Caloric testing helps determine whether or not you have nerve damage in the inner ear, and if there are varying degrees of damage between ears. Our specialist will use either air or water to perform caloric testing, depending on what you're comfortable with (yes, the water is sanitary).

Our equipment tracks how your eyes move in response to cool and warm air/water puffed into your ear. Since it should be the same movement for everyone, variations or no response provides critical data for inner ear nerve health, and helps with an accurate diagnosis.

Testing often triggers your symptoms that generally pass within minutes. We recommend you have a designated driver just in case. And depending on your situation, you may be asked to fast prior to testing, change up your diet for a day or two, avoid certain medications, and other preparations. VRT Los Angeles will provide printed instructions and answer any questions you have so you feel fully prepared.