VNG is an eye-movement test that checks the inner ear and the balance system. You wear goggles with a small camera while you follow lights and change positions. Dizziness and balance problems after a crash often come from the inner ear or the nerves that control eye movement.
Your physician orders this test. You only get it if it is ordered for you.
What is VNG (balance and dizziness test)?
VNG is an eye-movement test that checks the inner ear and the balance system. You wear goggles with a small camera while you follow lights and change positions.
How does it help?
Dizziness and balance problems after a crash often come from the inner ear or the nerves that control eye movement. VNG helps find which part is not working.
What does it feel like?
Some steps can make you briefly dizzy, which is part of the test. Your technician stays with you the whole time.
How do you get ready?
Do not wear eye makeup. Ask your physician which medicines to skip for a day or two before, such as sleep or dizziness medicines.
What should you tell us first?
- Tell us first if you have a neck injury that limits movement, a recent eye surgery or a seizure history
How long does it take?
About 45 to 60 minutes.
What to remember
- Brief dizziness is part of the test.
- No eye makeup that day.
- Ask your physician which medicines to skip before.
Show us you have it: Tell us which medicines you will check on before the test. We go over it again at your next visit, and you can ask us to explain anything a second time.
Read more: why timing matters for concussion testing.
Other tests in the program
- Nerve test of the arm (EMG/NCS)
- Nerve test of the leg (EMG/NCS)
- CMAT (CardioMetabolic Assessment Test)
- Cognivue
- Kinetisense
- RQ (resting metabolic rate)
This is part of our physician-directed physiotherapy program, where a physician orders and supervises every treatment and no treatment starts unless a physician is available right away.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP. Board Certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, Interventional Pain Management, Addiction Medicine, and Obesity Medicine. Last reviewed October 18, 2026.