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t Missouri Brain & Spine we utilize Videonystagmography (VNG) technologies, the new standard for testing inner ear and central motor functions. VNG testing is more accurate, more consistent, and more comfortable for the patient.

VNG testing is used to determine if a vestibular (inner ear) disease may be causing a balance or dizziness problem, and is one of the only tests available today that can decipher between a unilateral (one ear) and bilateral (both ears) vestibular loss.

VNG testing is a series of four tests (occular motility, optokinetic nystagmus, positional nystagmus and caloric testing) designed to document a person’s ability to follow visual objects with their eyes and how well the eyes respond to information from the vestibular system. This test also addresses the functionality of each ear and if a vestibular deficit may be the cause of a dizziness or balance problem. To monitor the movements of the eyes, infrared goggles are placed around the eyes to record eye movements during testing.

During the testing our physicians will be looking for any slowness or inaccuracies in your ability to follow visual targets. This may indicate a central or neurological problem, or possibly a problem in the pathway connecting the vestibular system to the brain.