Balance Test

The balance test is mainly performed on people suffering from vertigo (lat. Vertigo). The organ of balance (vestibular organ) is located in the inner ear and registers all changes in the position of the body in space.

Indications (areas of application)

• Vertigo (dizziness)
• Hearing disorders
• Tumors in the area of the inner ear such as acoustic neuroma – tumor originating from the auditory nerve.
• Inflammation in the area of the inner ear such as neuronitis vestibularis – inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which leads to a disturbance of the organ of balance with acute dizziness and vomiting.

The procedure

In the balance test, the following tests are performed:

• Triggering of rapid eye movements by
  • Rotational testing (rotational testing) in a swivel chair.
  • Thermal test – irritation of the inner ear with warm and cold water.
  • Mechanical testing – irritation by compressed air.
• Electronystagmography – objective representation of rapid eye movements.

During the examinations for the triggering of rapid eye movements (nystagmus), the so-called Frenzel glasses are worn by the patient, which makes it impossible for him to fixate objects and thus allows to detect the nystagmus.

Balance testing is an informative diagnostic procedure that is used nowadays in cases of dizziness symptomatology.