Location Icon
9266125888
Take our Vertigo Screening Quiz !

Advanced Vestibular Diagnostics

Experiencing vertigo, dizziness, or balance issues? NeuroEquilibrium offers India’s most advanced diagnostic platform to identify the exact cause of your symptoms and design a personalized treatment plan.

Vestibular Rehabilitation test
divider
banner-divider

Why Accurate Diagnosis Matters

Vertigo is a symptom, not a disease. It refers to the false sensation of movement or spinning, while dizziness or lightheadedness can have entirely different causes. Because over 40 different conditions can lead to vertigo or imbalance, accurate diagnosis is the key to lasting recovery.

Many patients try to manage symptoms with temporary medications. However, these only suppress dizziness and may delay the brain’s natural healing process. A structured diagnostic process ensures that the root cause is identified, whether it lies in the inner ear, brain, or systemic factors, allowing the right treatment to begin immediately.

The Vertigo Diagnostic Process

NeuroEquilibrium follows a structured, stepwise process designed to evaluate both function and structure.

History and Symptom Analysis

The process begins with a detailed discussion of symptoms such as onset, triggers, duration, and frequency. The clinician reviews medical history, associated conditions, and lifestyle factors that may influence balance.

Physical and Neurological Examination

A focused examination checks eye movements, coordination, balance, and posture. Specific positional maneuvers such as the Dix-Hallpike or Supine Roll Test may be performed to identify Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) by observing eye movement patterns known as nystagmus.

Functional Vestibular Tests

If required, the patient undergoes a set of specialized vestibular tests collectively called the Vertigo Profile Test. These assess how the balance system is functioning in real time and are more informative than structural imaging during the early stages of a disorder.

Imaging and Systemic Evaluation

When neurological symptoms or red flags are present, additional tests such as MRI or CT scans are ordered to rule out stroke, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, or acoustic neuroma. Basic health checks for blood pressure, blood sugar, anemia, or vitamin D levels may also be performed to exclude systemic causes.

Key Diagnostic Tests

Test

What It Measures

Why It Matters

Videonystagmography (VNG)

Tracks eye movements during visual and positional changes.

Identifies the affected canal in BPPV and distinguishes between inner ear and brain-related vertigo.

Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV)

Evaluates perception of vertical orientation.

Detects imbalances in the otolith organs responsible for sensing gravity.

Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA)

Assesses how clearly a person can see during head movement.

Identifies weakness in the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR), essential for stable vision while moving.

Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT)

Measures eye movement during rapid head turns.

Evaluates the function of individual semicircular canals and is useful for diagnosing Vestibular Neuritis.

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (VEMP)

Measures muscle response to sound stimuli.

Assesses the otolith organs and helps diagnose Ménière’s Disease and Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome.

Posturography

Evaluates balance and body stability on stable or moving surfaces.

Determines how the eyes, feet, and inner ears coordinate to maintain balance and predicts fall risk.

Audiometry (Hearing Test)

Measures hearing sensitivity across frequencies.

Identifies hearing loss associated with balance conditions like Ménière’s Disease or Labyrinthitis.

Learn more:
VNG Test | vHIT Test | VEMP Test | Posturography | SVV Test | DVA Test

 

When Imaging Is Needed

MRI or CT scans are not the first-line tests for vertigo. They are used only when central causes are suspected, such as stroke, tumors, or demyelinating conditions. Vestibular function tests can often detect abnormalities hours or even days earlier than MRI scans, making them critical for timely diagnosis.

 

Patient Preparation

To ensure accuracy, patients are advised to follow a few guidelines before testing:

  • Avoid dizziness or allergy medications 24 to 48 hours before the test, unless prescribed otherwise.
  • Refrain from caffeine and alcohol for 24 hours before testing.
  • Avoid heavy meals and eye makeup on the day of testing.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and footwear to allow for movement during balance tests.

A complete Vertigo Profile Test, which includes VNG, SVV, and DVA, typically takes about 90 minutes, while individual tests such as VEMP last 30 to 45 minutes. All tests are safe, painless, and non-invasive, though brief dizziness may occur as part of the evaluation.

 

Results and Next Steps

The results of vestibular diagnostics allow clinicians to pinpoint the exact cause of dizziness. Identifying the affected ear or nerve helps determine whether the issue lies in the inner ear, vestibular nerve, or central pathways.

Once the underlying cause is confirmed, NeuroEquilibrium specialists design a personalized plan that may include:

  • Specific repositioning maneuvers for BPPV

  • Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) for nerve or chronic imbalance issues
    Targeted medications such as steroids or anti-vertigo drugs
  • Lifestyle modifications for long-term stability and prevention

Explore Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)

 

When to Seek Immediate Care

While vertigo is often benign, certain symptoms require urgent evaluation:

  • Sudden dizziness with blurred vision or slurred speech
  • Weakness or numbness in the face or limbs
  • Severe headache, fainting, or loss of coordination
  • Sudden hearing loss in one ear with vertigo

If these occur, emergency imaging and neurological assessment are recommended immediately.

Divider border Icon
divider Border icon

Nationwide care with 200+ clinics in 54+ cities.

Divider icon
divider icon

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t vertigo be diagnosed with an MRI alone?

 MRI scans show structural changes in the brain, while vestibular tests measure how the balance system functions. Many patients with vertigo have normal MRI results because their symptoms come from functional imbalance, not structural damage.

Yes, all vestibular tests are safe, non-invasive, and performed under expert supervision. Some may temporarily induce dizziness, which is normal and necessary for diagnosis.

The complete evaluation, including consultation and functional tests, usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours.

Preliminary findings are often discussed on the same day, with a detailed report provided after complete analysis.

You will receive a customized treatment plan that may include vestibular rehabilitation, medication, or repositioning maneuvers, depending on your diagnosis.

footer-divider icon
divider

Vertigo, Headaches, nausea, or ringing in your ears? Find its root cause.Talk to expert.