Balance Problems

Your doctor will start by reviewing your medical history and conducting a physical and neurological examination.

To determine if your symptoms are caused by problems in the balance function in your inner ear, your doctor is likely to recommend tests. They might include:

• Hearing tests. Difficulties with hearing are frequently associated with balance problems.
• Posturography test. Wearing a safety harness, you try to remain standing on a moving platform. A posturography test indicates which parts of your balance system you rely on most.
• Electronystagmography and videonystagmography. Both tests record your eye movements, which play a role in vestibular function and balance. Electronystagmography uses electrodes to record eye movements. Videonystagmography uses small cameras to record eye movements.
• Rotary chair test. Your eye movements are analyzed while you sit in a computer-controlled chair that moves slowly in a circle.
• Dix-Hallpike maneuver. Your doctor carefully turns your head in different positions while watching your eye movements to determine whether you have a false sense of motion or spinning.
• Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials test. Sensor pads attached to your neck and forehead and under your eyes measure tiny changes in muscle contractions in reaction to sounds.
• Imaging tests. MRI and CT scans can determine if underlying medical conditions might be causing your balance problems.
• Blood pressure and heart rate tests. Your blood pressure might be checked when sitting and then after standing for two to three minutes to determine if you have significant drops in blood pressure. Your heart rate might be checked when standing to help determine if a heart condition is causing your symptoms.