Comprehensive Dizziness & Balance Testing in SoCal SoCal’s Otolaryngology Experts
Dizziness and balance issues can disrupt daily life, making even simple activities feel overwhelming. Whether you’re experiencing vertigo, unsteadiness, or unexplained falls, your symptoms may be linked to a disorder in your vestibular system, the part of your inner ear responsible for balance. Comprehensive dizziness and balance testing helps uncover the root cause of your symptoms, allowing for precise diagnosis and targeted treatment.
At Southern California Center for Ear, Nose, Throat, and Allergy (SoCal ENT), we offer state-of-the-art diagnostic testing to evaluate your vestibular function. Our highly experienced ENT specialists and audiologists provide top-caliber care in a compassionate, patient-focused setting, ensuring that you receive expert guidance and a personalized plan for managing your condition.
If dizziness or balance issues interfere with your life, we’re here to help you regain stability and confidence. Schedule your consultation today to find answers and get the expert solutions you deserve.
If you’ve ever felt like the room is spinning, struggled to stay steady on your feet, or experienced sudden bouts of dizziness, your inner ear could be the culprit. Your vestibular system, located deep within your ear, plays a crucial role in balance and spatial awareness. When something disrupts this system—whether from an infection, fluid buildup, or a vestibular disorder—you may experience vertigo, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or a sensation of floating or tilting.
Some people also have trouble focusing their vision, feel disoriented in crowded spaces, or notice that quick movements trigger dizziness. These symptoms can interfere with your daily life, making it difficult to walk, drive, or even get out of bed without feeling off-balance. Understanding what’s causing your dizziness is the first step toward finding relief. At SoCal ENT, we help you find answers and regain stability and confidence.
Dysfunction in the inner ear can affect how your brain processes movement and spatial awareness. Our comprehensive dizziness and balance testing methods pinpoint the cause of your symptoms by evaluating the connection between your inner ear, vision, and brain function.
Our specialists use a series of advanced tests to assess how your body maintains balance and responds to movement. These evaluations help diagnose conditions such as vestibular disorders, Meniere’s disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and more.
VNG testing evaluates involuntary eye movements (nystagmus) to detect balance disorders related to the inner ear. During the test, you’ll wear special goggles with infrared cameras that track your eye movements while you follow visual targets, move into different positions, and undergo temperature-based testing with warm and cool air or water. Abnormal responses can indicate vestibular dysfunction.
Similar to VNG, ENG measures eye movement responses but uses small electrodes placed around the eyes instead of infrared cameras. This test assesses the connection between your inner ear and brain, helping to identify conditions affecting balance and spatial orientation.
Posturography evaluates your body’s ability to maintain balance by analyzing how you respond to different surfaces and movements. You’ll stand on a specialized platform while sensors track your posture, stability, and motor responses. Posturography helps diagnose neuromuscular and vestibular disorders that may contribute to dizziness or falls.
Comprehensive balance testing is a non-invasive, in-office evaluation that typically takes about one to two hours to complete. Your audiologist or ENT specialist will guide you through a series of visual, positional, and sensory tests designed to measure how your body processes balance and movement.
During your appointment, you may be asked to follow moving lights, change head and body positions, or stand on a balance platform while sensors track your responses. Some tests may involve mild temperature stimulation in the ear canal to assess vestibular function. While the experience is completely safe, some patients may feel brief dizziness, which typically resolves quickly.
After testing, our specialists will analyze your results and create a personalized treatment plan to help improve your balance and reduce dizziness.
Many balance disorders stem from inner ear dysfunction, but dizziness can also be linked to neurological conditions, medication side effects, or musculoskeletal issues. Our testing can help diagnose conditions such as:
If you’re struggling with dizziness, vertigo, or balance issues, our specialized testing can help determine the cause and guide effective treatment.
Accurate diagnosis is key to finding the right treatment for dizziness and balance disorders. With comprehensive testing, you can:
Pinpoint whether dizziness is caused by an inner ear disorder, neurological issue, or another condition.
Results guide customized care, including vestibular rehabilitation therapy to retrain balance and coordination.
Early detection and treatment help reduce fall risk and enhance mobility.
Understanding your condition empowers you to take control of your health and daily well-being.
If you experience frequent dizziness, vertigo, unsteadiness, or difficulty with balance, testing can provide valuable answers. This evaluation is particularly beneficial for individuals with:
Testing is safe for most individuals. During your consultation, our specialists will discuss any concerns you may have about specific medical conditions.
Comprehensive dizziness and balance testing provides a precise diagnosis by identifying the underlying cause of your symptoms. Whether your imbalance stems from an inner ear disorder, neurological condition, or other medical issue, the results of your evaluation allow our specialists at SoCal ENT to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Once testing is complete, our team will review your results in detail, explaining how your vestibular system, eye movements, and postural control contribute to your symptoms. With this insight, we can recommend targeted therapies, including vestibular rehabilitation exercises, medication, balance therapy, or specialized treatments for conditions like Meniere’s disease or BPPV. If further medical care is necessary, our multidisciplinary team of ENT specialists will collaborate to ensure you receive the most effective treatment plan. At SoCal ENT, we believe in patient-centered care, guiding you every step toward better balance, reduced dizziness, and improved quality of life.
Some tests may briefly trigger dizziness, but any discomfort is temporary and resolves quickly.
Most evaluations take one to two hours, depending on the tests performed.
To ensure accurate results, you may be asked to avoid certain medications, caffeine, and alcohol before testing. Your provider will give you specific instructions.
Our specialists will analyze your results and discuss treatment options, including therapy, medication, or further testing.
Yes! Identifying vestibular disorders early allows for personalized treatment to improve stability and reduce fall risk.
