What Is a Balance Test and When Do You Need It?

Balance is rarely something that is being considered until it is compromised. When our bodies have a correct sense of balance, it comes effortlessly and is easy to take for granted; that is, until we lose it. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, around 40% of the US population may have some sort of balance difficulty or dizziness over their lifetime. Balance issues can occur at any age, but they are more common in older persons.

Our body balance is based on three systems that receive sensory information from our eyes, inner ear, joints, and muscles. When there is an inaccuracy in the sensory information intake or motor output from the brain, humans feel a loss of stability or balance. Fear of falling can lead people to limit themselves and reduce their activity levels. Dizziness, vertigo, and unbalance can have a significant impact on your quality of life. The first step toward treating these symptoms and finding relief is to get a balance test. Balance tests can assist in discovering the underlying cause of your vestibular problems and guide your doctor to the best therapy.

What Causes Balance Problems?

Many situations might disrupt your balance. Physical therapy specialists mostly test people for the following conditions:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Calcium crystals in the inner ears assist you in maintaining your balance. When they become dislodged, people experience dizziness and vertigo. BPPV is the leading cause of balance issues;


• Meniere's disease. This illness is marked by episodes of dizziness/vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear pressure. There is no cure, and episodes typically worsen over time;


• Vestibular neuritis. This illness is characterized by inflammation of the inner ear, which is usually caused by a virus;


• Migraine headaches are widely known for causing dizziness and nausea;


• Head injury. This is a typical cause of dizziness;


• Certain medications. Many drugs include dizziness as an adverse effect.

What Happens During the Balance Test?

Balance tests are painless and quick. They are assisted by either audiologists or ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctors. Common balance tests include the following techniques. 

Electronystagmography (ENG) and videonystagmography (VNG)

These exams assess your eye movements. For this test, you will sit in an exam chair in a dark room and be asked to examine light patterns on a screen. You will repeat this exercise in a variety of positions. Finally, warm and cool air will be pushed into each ear as your eye movements are tracked. If your eyes don't behave as expected, it may indicate nerve damage in your inner ear.

Rotary Chair Test

For this test, you will sit in a motorized chair while wearing goggles that capture your eye movements as the chair gently moves in a circle.

The Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP) 

This test assesses muscular responses to sound and can detect inner ear abnormalities. You will sit on a reclining chair wearing earbuds. Sensory pads will be placed on your head and neck to record muscle movements. As clicks or tones play in the earbuds, you will be instructed to elevate your head or eyes for brief durations of time.

Will I Need to Prepare for a Balance Test?

It is recommended that you wear loose, comfortable clothing. Check with your doctor: depending on the test, you may need to modify your diet or adjust your medications for a day or two before the test. Your provider will offer you any special instructions to follow.

Are There Any Health Risks Associated with Balance Tests?

Certain tests may cause you to feel dizzy or nauseated. These emotions normally pass within a few minutes, but if the dizziness lasts longer, you should arrange for someone to drive you home.