Vertigo & Balance Evaluation (VNG)
Vertigo is the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, and it is one of the most common reasons people seek help for dizziness. A large share of vertigo begins in the inner ear, where the delicate balance (vestibular) system works with your eyes and the rest of your body to keep you steady. When this system is disturbed, you may feel spinning, unsteadiness, light-headedness on changing position, or dizziness with nausea. Finding out where the problem lies is an important first step towards effective vertigo care.
At our ENT clinic in Hastinapuram, Hyderabad, we use VNG (videonystagmography) as a structured way to evaluate balance. During the test, small involuntary eye movements called nystagmus are recorded using light goggles while you follow moving targets and change head and body positions. The assessment includes oculomotor tests such as smooth-pursuit, saccades and gaze holding, positional testing including the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre to check for BPPV, and recording of spontaneous and gaze-evoked nystagmus. Because your eyes and inner-ear balance system are closely linked, these eye-movement patterns give valuable clues about the underlying cause.
A key aim of the VNG assessment is to help separate inner-ear (peripheral) causes from central causes of dizziness. Peripheral conditions such as BPPV, labyrinthitis and Meniere's disease behave differently from problems arising elsewhere, and telling them apart helps direct the right care. Once the picture is clearer, we prepare an easy-to-understand report to plan the next steps, which may include repositioning manoeuvres for BPPV, medication where appropriate, or a course of vestibular rehabilitation exercises to help retrain your balance.
If dizziness is affecting your daily life or has led to unsteadiness or falls, a proper evaluation can bring real reassurance. Many causes of vertigo respond well to simple, non-surgical measures once they are correctly identified, and understanding what is happening often eases the anxiety that dizziness can bring. Our team is here to assess your symptoms carefully and guide you towards steadier, more confident days.
Common Symptoms
- Spinning sensation (vertigo) or dizziness
- Unsteadiness or a feeling of imbalance
- Light-headedness when changing position
- Vertigo triggered by lying down or rolling over in bed
- Dizziness with nausea or vomiting
- Repeated falls or a fear of falling
How We Help
- Oculomotor tests — smooth-pursuit tracking, rapid eye movements (saccades) and gaze holding
- Positional testing, including the Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre, to detect BPPV
- Recording of spontaneous and gaze-evoked nystagmus in light and darkness
- Assessment that helps separate inner-ear causes from central (brain-related) causes
- A clear report used to plan care — repositioning manoeuvres, medication or vestibular rehabilitation
When to See a Doctor
Book an evaluation if vertigo or dizziness is recurrent, severe or affecting daily life. Seek urgent care if dizziness comes with sudden hearing loss, severe headache, weakness, slurred speech, double vision or trouble walking — these need immediate attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet Your ENT Specialist
Dr. G Abhinav Kumar Reddy
MBBS, MS (ENT) — ENT Specialist
