Feeling dizzy once in a while is normal — standing up too quickly, skipping a meal, or even riding a boat can trigger it. But if you experience persistent dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues, it’s not something to ignore. These symptoms can affect your safety, independence, and overall quality of life, especially for older adults.
At Chetco Medical & Aesthetics, we use advanced videonystagmography (VNG) testing to identify the underlying causes of dizziness. This non-invasive, high-tech assessment provides valuable insight into your balance system, helping us create a personalized treatment plan that restores your stability and peace of mind.
What Is VNG Testing?
Videonystagmography (VNG) is a state-of-the-art diagnostic tool used to pinpoint the root cause of dizziness, vertigo, and balance issues. It works by measuring how well your inner ear, eyes, and brain coordinate to maintain balance and spatial orientation. These three systems must communicate seamlessly to keep you steady. When one isn’t working properly, you may experience unsteadiness, disorientation, or spinning sensations.
The test uses lightweight, comfortable goggles equipped with highly sensitive infrared video cameras. While you perform a series of guided movements or visual tracking tasks, the system records involuntary eye movements (called nystagmus) that occur when your balance system is stimulated. Even subtle changes in eye motion can reveal important clues about the health of your vestibular system, which is located in the inner ear and plays a critical role in stability.
By analyzing these eye movement patterns, your provider can determine whether your symptoms are linked to:
- Vestibular disorders (inner ear problems)
- Central nervous system issues (neurological conditions like migraines or brainstem disorders)
- A combination of both
This level of precision allows us to rule out specific causes, confirm a diagnosis, and design a treatment plan that directly addresses the source of your dizziness, rather than simply managing symptoms.
Why Balance Problems Deserve Your Attention
For many older adults, balance problems can be life-altering. Even mild dizziness or instability increases the risk of falls, which are one of the leading causes of injury and hospitalization in seniors. Broken bones, head injuries, and lengthy rehabilitation can follow, often making it harder to regain full mobility and independence.
The impact isn’t just physical. Chronic dizziness can also affect your confidence, leading you to avoid activities you once enjoyed, whether that’s walking on the beach, gardening, or joining friends for community events. Over time, this social withdrawal can contribute to feelings of isolation, anxiety, or depression. Some people begin relying more heavily on family members or caregivers, which can shift relationships and limit personal freedom.
And while occasional unsteadiness may seem harmless, persistent symptoms can signal underlying conditions — such as inner ear disorders, neurological changes, or medication side effects — that deserve prompt attention. By identifying the cause early through advanced tools like VNG testing, we can begin treatment sooner and reduce the risk of serious complications.
Common Conditions VNG Can Help Diagnose
A VNG test can help uncover a variety of balance-related conditions, from benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) (brief episodes of dizziness triggered by specific head movements) to vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis, which involve inflammation of the inner ear and can cause severe vertigo.
It can also detect Ménière’s disease, a chronic inner ear disorder that leads to dizziness, hearing loss, and tinnitus, as well as ototoxicity, which is inner ear damage caused by certain medications. In some cases, VNG testing may point to central disorders such as migraines or stroke-related balance problems, helping guide accurate diagnosis and treatment.
What Happens During a VNG Test?
The process is simple, comfortable, and completed in our clinic. Here’s what you can expect:
Preparation
You’ll be asked to avoid certain medications, caffeine, or alcohol before the test, as these can affect your results. We will review your medical history to ensure the test is safe and effective for your needs.
Wearing the Goggles
During the test, you’ll wear a special set of goggles equipped with infrared video cameras. These cameras track your eye movements in complete detail.
Four-Part Assessment
The VNG test typically includes:
- Ocular Motor Testing: You follow moving lights on a screen while the system records your eye movements.
- Positional Testing: You’re moved into different positions to see if head movement triggers dizziness or nystagmus.
- Caloric Testing: Warm and cool air or water is gently introduced into each ear to stimulate the vestibular system.
- Spontaneous Nystagmus Testing: The system records any involuntary eye movements while you look straight ahead or with your eyes closed.
Results & Discussion
After the test, we review the recordings and explain what they reveal about your balance function. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of the cause and the next steps for treatment.
Who Can Benefit from VNG Testing?
VNG testing is ideal for anyone experiencing frequent or unexplained dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues. It’s especially helpful if your symptoms are affecting daily activities, increasing your risk of falls, or making you feel unsteady in certain positions. Whether your dizziness comes on suddenly or has been building over time, VNG can help identify the cause so you can get the right treatment.
Regain Your Balance and Peace of Mind
Dizziness doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying daily life, traveling, or spending time with loved ones. With VNG testing at Chetco Medical & Aesthetics, you can finally get answers and start on the path to steady, confident movement.
If you’re in Brookings or Gold Beach and struggling with dizziness or balance problems, schedule your VNG test today online or by calling (541) 204-6200. Let us help you take the first step toward safety, stability, and renewed independence.
