Balance Tests
The Balance Center of Decatur ENT understands that dizziness can make ordinary tasks like rolling over, sitting up, or bending over challenging. If these movements make you feel as though you are spinning or nauseated and disrupt daily life, our specialized team can help.
The Balance Center is equipped for comprehensive balance and inner ear testing and treatment. We offer an expert team to interpret results and treatments ranging from medical and in-office surgical treatment to balance therapy and rehabilitation all in one convenient location.
New patients will meet with our physicians to rule out more serious health issues that could cause dizziness. After reviewing the health history including an initial physical exam and hearing test, you and your physician will plan the next steps in diagnosis and treatment. If needed, further inner ear testing can be ordered with the Balance Center’s computerized testing equipment.
After initial screening, should you need to return for testing, plan to stay two hours for a comprehensive range of tests. The tests and procedures done at the Balance Center are non-invasive and painless, but, as a safety precaution, please bring someone to drive you home.
Imbalance Tests
Sometimes it is difficult to describe or identify triggers for dizziness or loss of balance. Computerized tests such as Posturography, Video Nystagmography, and Evoked Potential Testing enable our team to define your balance, inner ear, and neural responses with safe and painless methods.
- Posturography
- A computerized test of your balance and specific areas that are causing problems
- Nystagmography
- A video or electrode recording of eye movements to evaluate inner ear mechanism
- Auditory Evoked Potentials
- A computerized analysis of auditory and vestibular nerve responses elicited from using earphones and recording electrodes placed on your scalp and near you ears you will hear sounds and clicks. You will be asked to lie still and relaxed, some people even choose to sleep. (ABR, EcoG, VEMP)
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
- Evaluates brain waves generated with the auditory system to evaluate hearing loss and any disorder which might affect the central nervous system associated with inner ear hearing and balance.
- Electrocochleography (EcoG)
- Detects Meniere’s syndrome which affects inner ear fluid pressure.
- Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP)
- Assess the lower branch of the balance nerve and its interconnections within the brain to detect tilt acceleration and up/down movements.
- Epley Maneuver Treatment
- A procedure designed for positional vertigo (BPV)
- Physical Therapy Evaluation
- A functional balance evaluation for the development of a balance rehabilitation program
