Inner Ear Testing

A woman jumps in the air while holding a ball.

We also offer comfortable & painless Vestibular Testing with the VAT™ / ENG - which is the most accurate and easiest to perform of all diagnostic balance tests available today. The VAT™/ENG can record and analyze performance of the inner ear in a natural, comfortable manner. Testing is painless, non-invasive and can be performed in as little as 15 minutes. The VAT™/ENG is recommended for diagnosis of most types of balance disorders.

Offered at all our office locations

If you experience:

  • Loss of Balance

  • Dizziness

  • Vertigo

These symptoms are associated with Vestibular disorders.  

We offer the most accurate and comfortable Vestibular Testing with the VAT™ / ENG

  • Non-invasive, pain free

  • Performed in as little as 15 minutes

For more information click here

Call Now: 800-489-6905

More Information on the VAT/ENG

VAT™ (Vestibular Autorotation Test)
ENG (Electronystagmography)

What is the VAT™ / ENG Used for? 
VAT™ / ENG testing has been long established as a diagnostic tool within Otolaryngology for the differential diagnosis of dizziness and balance impairment.  It has also been used in Neurology to help determine the cause or contribution of vestibular impairment with conditions such as head trauma, MS, undifferentiated dizziness and balance disorders.  In our practice we also provide testing for Cardiologists (to determine source of dizzy complaints) as well as Internal Medicine and Geriatric Specialties to help determine the cause of balance impairment.

How does it work? 
The VAT™ / ENG is actually a menu of tests compiled together to stimulate and record inner ear function.  Specific diagnosis can be obtained from the VOR system, utricular (gravity perception), and the CNS interactions with the visual-motor system.  There are historically several evolutionary steps in it’s technical development.  Our system is perhaps the newest as it does not cause dizziness or nausea, is extremely well tolerated, and can be performed painlessly in about 20 minutes versus the usual 60 minutes that older incarnations required.  

Patients are seated during testing with specific electrooculography electrodes and head sensors comfortably placed.  The patient performs a battery of head and eye movement tests while the VAT™ / ENG computer records the data.  Reports with data graphs are usually provided within 24-48 hours with specific information for the referring Physician to create a distinct diagnosis, and of course to guide treatment planning.  Test data is imperative for most types of Physical Therapy treatment planning.

What type of patients can benefit from the VAT™ / ENG? 
Pediatrics, geriatrics, neurological disorders, inner ear disorders, head trauma, cardiac conditions, idiopathic conditions where the sources of dizziness or imbalance have not been determined.  We do not recommend using VAT™ / ENG as a “screening tool” but rather a diagnostic process after sound medical investigation is underway.

How is it provided? 
We provide these services in contracted MD offices as well as in all of our office locations.  Our equipment is portable, so should we work with your office, we simply ask that a quiet treatment room or space is provided as well as a treatment table or plinth where body positions and movements that are sometimes required be made available.  We provide the equipment and supplies needed, as well as generate the report.

How is it billed? 
The VAT™ / ENG uses universal coding already within the healthcare billing indices.  We stress that the referring Physician ALWAYS includes an ICD10 code for dizziness or mobility impairment that would substantiate the need for testing.  

How is the VAT™ / ENG test data is used? 
The VAT™ / ENG reports provided detail “where” the impairment lies along with suggested follow up care.  Test data can often reveal the need for additional medical investigation and intervention, as well as therapeutic treatment such as Vestibular Therapy or Balance Therapy. Some patients may need additional investigation such as specific types of MRI / CTs or review of patients’ medications or history.  The strengths of our VAT/ENG system is that it generally removes the doubt of “what is causing the dizziness”.

Who typically refers for VAT™ / ENG testing?
Medical referral sources include but not limited to: ENT's (Ear, Nose and Throat), Otolaryngologists, Neurologists, Internal Medicine Geriatricians and Cardiologists.

Medication Information

Medications patients should not take 48 hours prior to VAT™ / ENG testing.

All Pain medications including: Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Tylenol PM, etc.) Aspirin (anything with aspirin in it) Codeine (anything with codeine in it) Ibuprofen (Excedrin, Midol, Motrin, etc.) Naproxyn (Aleve) Darvocet

All Anti-Anxiety medications, (if allowed by prescribing physician) including: Valium/Diazepam Ativan/Lorazepam, Pamelor/Nortriptyline, Compazine, Xanax, Prozac, Zoloft

All Anti-Dizzy medications: Antivert/Meclizine, Valium, Phenergan, Dramamine, Scopolamine(Transderm Patch)

All Diuretics/Water Pills, including: Dyazide, Neptazane, Maxide, Lasix

All Sleep Medications, including: Ambien, Tylenol PM, Halcion

All Allergy Medications, including: Antihistamines, Decongestants

Anything prescribed for migraines

No Alcohol 48hrs prior, Caffeine or Tobacco 24hrs prior

Do not discontinue heart, blood pressure, diabetes, or seizure medications or any medication intended for life-supporting reasons.

*While it is important that a patient stops taking these medications prior to testing, they should first seek approval from their prescribing physician before beginning to taper or stop them.