Questions About Testing and Treatment for Vertigo:
What is an ENG? An ENG is a test of the balance (vestibular) system. The balance system is very complex. While the primary portion of the balance system is found in the inner ear, it is also connected to many other parts of our body including our eyes and our sense of touch. All these things work together so that we can turn and move in our environment without falling. The ENG will evaluate the vestibular system to determine if it may be responsible for your balance problems.
What does ENG stand for? ENG stands for Electronystagmography. Basically a recording and analysis of predictable eye movements caused by stimulating the vestibular system.
Why did the doctor do a hearing test first? I complained I was dizzy. I hear fine. The balance (vestibular) system shares a common nerve with the Cochlea (the organ of hearing). Often, when someone is dizzy they also have some abnormalities in the hearing system. The results of the hearing test in conjunction with the ENG results help your doctor and audiologist to more clearly understand why you are dizzy. Once a diagnosis is made, then a plan for treatment can begin.
Who will perform the test? The test will always be performed by a board certified audiologist, we do not use technicians.
Is the test going to be painful? NO. The test is quite simple and painless. The audiologist will begin by asking you specific questions about your dizziness. To prepare for recording the audiologist place special goggles over your eyes containing tiny video cameras. This is how your eye movements can be recoded and measured.
First, the audiologist will ask you to follow a light on a bar as it moves in different patterns. Next, you will be placed in different positions, both sitting and lying to determine if these movements or positions cause your symptoms. Finally, you will lie down with your head slightly raised. The audiologist will look into your ears and then run warm and cool air into your ears. Once this test is completed the entire ENG is finished.
How long will the test take? The test will take between 60 and 90 minutes.
Do I need to do anything special for the test? YES! It is very important that you read the instructions sent to you by our office. There is a detailed list of medications that will interfere with the performance of the test. READ THIS LIST CAREFULLY. If you have ANY questions, please call our office and one of our audiologists will help you to know if you need to discontinue a medicine prior to the test.
Why should I not eat before the ENG? Actually, eating will not disrupt the test. Sometimes, though, during the test you may feel woozy or a sensation of movement. This feeling will not last a long time, but we find patients feel better if they do not have a full stomach.
Why do I need someone to drive me? Sometimes during or after this test you may feel woozy or a sense of motion. If this happens we want you to be safe on your way home. Having someone drive you assures you can relax on a safe drive home after completing the test.
BPPV / CRT:
What is BPPV? BPPV stands for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.
So, What is it? BPPV is a common balance problem and fortunately, one of the easiest balance problems to treat. In the inner ear there are three round tubes called semicircular canals and two sacs called the utricle and the saccule. Crystal-like substances are found inside the sacs. They are called otoconia. These crystals are embedded in a jelly-like substance. When the head moves the crystals and the jelly move together. This is how the body knows when you are moving and when you are at rest. Sometimes (and in the case of BPPV) these crystals become dislodged and begin to float within the fluid of the inner ear. If the otoconia move into the semicircular canals the body begins to experience a rotational movement called vertigo. It is this conflict of reality (the body is stopped) combined with the signals the loose otoconia are giving (your body thinks you are moving) that cause the sensation of spinning.
What is vertigo? Vertigo is a sensation of spinning. Vertigo is a symptom, NOT a disease or diagnosis.
How did I get BPPV? The original cause of BPPV is frequently unknown. Sometimes it is caused by degeneration of the vestibular system due to the normal aging process, head injury, viral infection, poor blood flow or even prolonged bed rest. BPPV is most common in the elderly, but is sometimes seen in people of all ages including children.
What can I do about it? As noted before, BPPV is one of the easiest balance disorders to treat. The audiologists can perform a canalith repositioning treatment or CRT.
What is CRP? CRT is a therapy that attempts to move the loose crystals into another compartment in your inner ear where they won’t continue to make you think you are moving.
Is CRT effective? YES. When the diagnosis of BPPV is made accurately , over 90% of patients are relieved of their symptoms.
What if CRT doesn’t work? There are several different forms of CRT treatment and sometimes the same treatment needs to be repeated. If none of these methods work we will recommend you participate in a vestibular rehabilitation program conducted by a physical therapist who can give you more comprehensive treatment for your balance problem.
Once it’s gone will it come back? Recurrence of the vertigo associated with BPPV is not unusual. However, you will be given a series of exercises to perform daily to prevent BPPV from recurring. If it does recur the treatment can be repeated.
Does insurance pay for this treatment? Medicare will pay for this treatment; however, it is our experience that some other insurance companies may not
What is an ENG? An ENG is a test of the balance (vestibular) system. The balance system is very complex. While the primary portion of the balance system is found in the inner ear, it is also connected to many other parts of our body including our eyes and our sense of touch. All these things work together so that we can turn and move in our environment without falling. The ENG will evaluate the vestibular system to determine if it may be responsible for your balance problems.
What does ENG stand for? ENG stands for Electronystagmography. Basically a recording and analysis of predictable eye movements caused by stimulating the vestibular system.
Why did the doctor do a hearing test first? I complained I was dizzy. I hear fine. The balance (vestibular) system shares a common nerve with the Cochlea (the organ of hearing). Often, when someone is dizzy they also have some abnormalities in the hearing system. The results of the hearing test in conjunction with the ENG results help your doctor and audiologist to more clearly understand why you are dizzy. Once a diagnosis is made, then a plan for treatment can begin.
Who will perform the test? The test will always be performed by a board certified audiologist, we do not use technicians.
Is the test going to be painful? NO. The test is quite simple and painless. The audiologist will begin by asking you specific questions about your dizziness. To prepare for recording the audiologist place special goggles over your eyes containing tiny video cameras. This is how your eye movements can be recoded and measured.
First, the audiologist will ask you to follow a light on a bar as it moves in different patterns. Next, you will be placed in different positions, both sitting and lying to determine if these movements or positions cause your symptoms. Finally, you will lie down with your head slightly raised. The audiologist will look into your ears and then run warm and cool air into your ears. Once this test is completed the entire ENG is finished.
How long will the test take? The test will take between 60 and 90 minutes.
Do I need to do anything special for the test? YES! It is very important that you read the instructions sent to you by our office. There is a detailed list of medications that will interfere with the performance of the test. READ THIS LIST CAREFULLY. If you have ANY questions, please call our office and one of our audiologists will help you to know if you need to discontinue a medicine prior to the test.
Why should I not eat before the ENG? Actually, eating will not disrupt the test. Sometimes, though, during the test you may feel woozy or a sensation of movement. This feeling will not last a long time, but we find patients feel better if they do not have a full stomach.
Why do I need someone to drive me? Sometimes during or after this test you may feel woozy or a sense of motion. If this happens we want you to be safe on your way home. Having someone drive you assures you can relax on a safe drive home after completing the test.
BPPV / CRT:
What is BPPV? BPPV stands for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.
So, What is it? BPPV is a common balance problem and fortunately, one of the easiest balance problems to treat. In the inner ear there are three round tubes called semicircular canals and two sacs called the utricle and the saccule. Crystal-like substances are found inside the sacs. They are called otoconia. These crystals are embedded in a jelly-like substance. When the head moves the crystals and the jelly move together. This is how the body knows when you are moving and when you are at rest. Sometimes (and in the case of BPPV) these crystals become dislodged and begin to float within the fluid of the inner ear. If the otoconia move into the semicircular canals the body begins to experience a rotational movement called vertigo. It is this conflict of reality (the body is stopped) combined with the signals the loose otoconia are giving (your body thinks you are moving) that cause the sensation of spinning.
What is vertigo? Vertigo is a sensation of spinning. Vertigo is a symptom, NOT a disease or diagnosis.
How did I get BPPV? The original cause of BPPV is frequently unknown. Sometimes it is caused by degeneration of the vestibular system due to the normal aging process, head injury, viral infection, poor blood flow or even prolonged bed rest. BPPV is most common in the elderly, but is sometimes seen in people of all ages including children.
What can I do about it? As noted before, BPPV is one of the easiest balance disorders to treat. The audiologists can perform a canalith repositioning treatment or CRT.
What is CRP? CRT is a therapy that attempts to move the loose crystals into another compartment in your inner ear where they won’t continue to make you think you are moving.
Is CRT effective? YES. When the diagnosis of BPPV is made accurately , over 90% of patients are relieved of their symptoms.
What if CRT doesn’t work? There are several different forms of CRT treatment and sometimes the same treatment needs to be repeated. If none of these methods work we will recommend you participate in a vestibular rehabilitation program conducted by a physical therapist who can give you more comprehensive treatment for your balance problem.
Once it’s gone will it come back? Recurrence of the vertigo associated with BPPV is not unusual. However, you will be given a series of exercises to perform daily to prevent BPPV from recurring. If it does recur the treatment can be repeated.
Does insurance pay for this treatment? Medicare will pay for this treatment; however, it is our experience that some other insurance companies may not