An ENG is a balance test. The audiologist will place electrodes on your face and a computer will monitor your eye movements during the test. The three parts of the test will involve 1) watching a moving target; 2) lying in different positions; 3) directly stimulating the balance system by running warm and cool water, through a balloon, into your ears. Any portion of this evaluation may cause some degree of dizziness. If it does, it is usually short in duration. The entire procedure will take about an hour and a half.
We would prefer you avoid using alcohol and certain medications 48 hours prior to the test as it may interfere with the results. CHECK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN before you stop taking prescription drugs. We are mainly concerned with tranquilizers, depressants, stimulants, antihistamines and anti-dizziness medications. We do not want you to stop taking any life sustaining medications. Please call the audiology department if you have any questions regarding this issue.
Please do not eat or drink 3 hours prior to the test. Inform us of any medical condition such as diabetes that may prevent you from doing this. In addition, please do not wear contact lenses and dress comfortably. Women may prefer to wear slacks. It is requested that women do not wear make-up the day of the test. Your skin will be cleaned in preparation for electrode placement.
AUDITORY BRAINSTEM RESPONSE (ABR)
This test is designed to identify the presence of pathology of the auditory nerve as it travels from the ear to the lower brainstem. Electrodes will be placed on your forehead and in or behind your ears. Clicking sounds are presented to your ears and a computer records your brain’s electrical impulses that are generated in response to the sound. You will be lying down in a darkened room and do not need to participate.
ELECTROCOCHLEOGRAPHY (ECOG)
The setup and patient participation for this test are identical to that of the ABR test. However, the purpose of this test is to monitor electrical activity from only the portion of the auditory nerve that is near the inner ear. This test is helpful in the diagnosis of certain balance disorders.
If you have any further questions regarding any of these tests, please contact us at 412-366-3471.
