Medical Health Encyclopedia

Electronystagmography

Why the test is performed:

This test is used to determine if ear nerve damage is a cause of dizziness or vertigo. Damage to the vestibular portion of the acoustic nerve (the nerve of the inner ear) is one of the more common causes of vertigo.

Electronystagmography is performed to evaluate the acoustic nerve, which provides hearing and helps with balance. This test may be recommended when the person is experiencing dizziness or vertigo, when there is impaired hearing, with suspected toxicity from certain antibiotics, and when psychologic causes of vertigo are suspected.

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Electronystagmography provides exact measurements of eye movements rather than the objective observation of standard caloric stimulation. It can record behind closed eyelids or with the head in a variety of positions.

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