In this Section:

Balance Tests

VestibularTesting

Assessment of the balance part of the inner ear, the vestibular system, involves a number of tests. They are used by doctors to help isolate dizziness symptoms to specific causes.

Our balance system is complex and depends on our brain efficiently combining information from the vestibular systems of the inner ear, our eyes and the pressure receptors in our body that give us a sense of where are our body parts are relative to each other and the ground. These systems also need normal muscle support and blood supply to work properly.

During the testing recordings of involuntary eye movements, called nystagmus, are made either from video goggles or from small electrodes placed around the eyes. The balance system is stimulated in several different ways:

by watching lights that move to different positions or in different ways
by asking you to lie with your head and body in different positions, for example lying flat with your head turned to the side or lying on your side
by placing warm and cool air or water into your ear canal

We do not spin or rotate people during these balance tests. It is not unusual for people to feel some dizziness during testing although this usually stops quickly at the end of the tests. For this reason we recommend that you have someone accompany you to the clinic. This test usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes.