Chicago Dizziness and Hearing: Testing

Testing

Most patients with dizziness that we see have an audiogram and OAE (hearing tests) and a VEMP test. We may also reccomend additional procedures. We offer most dizziness testing in the clinic.

Testing at Chicago Dizziness and Hearing

Tests for dizziness offered in the clinic

Hearing testing (audiometry), as well as tympanometry and acoustic reflexes
Computerized Dynamic Posturography (Equitest)
OAE testing
ENG testing (electronystamography)
Oculomotor testing (a subset of ENG testing, concerning eye movements alone). Oculomotor testing might be appropriate for a person with congenital nystagmus.
Brainstem audio evoked responses (for central dizziness conditions and to screen for Acoustic Neuroma).
VEMP testing (Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials).
ECOG (electrocochleography testing for Meniere's disease)
Fistula testing
Tilt-table testing (for fainting spells)
Rotatory Chair testing.

Neuroradiology tests

MRI/MRA of the head or neck (for a large number of structural disorders of the brain or it's blood supply). Most MRI scans are done at the local hospital (Northwestern Memorial Hospital).
3T MRI (higher field) - These are very high resolution MRI scans, mainly suitable for cases where regular MRI imaging has been insufficient. Although 3T MRI's are available at several hospitals in Chicago, including NMH, we generally prefer that these are done at 3T Imaging of Morton Grove (a suburb of Chicago), as they have an oto-radiologist that reads for them, who is very expert.
CT scan of the temporal bone (for SCD or congenital deafness). Done at 3T MRI of Morton Grove. We strongly urge against having temporal-bone CT scans done at local hospitals. Even academic hospitals often do a poor job with temporal bone CT scans.

Neuropsychological tests

We occasionally suggest or arrange for neuropsychological testing (questionnaires), for three patient groups:

Workman's compensation cases
Independent medical examinations - these are done at the request of the attorney who arranged for the IME
Persons with trouble thinking associated with dizziness

The most comprehensive neuropsychological assessment that we offer is the MMPI. This is can be done in an affiliated practice in our building, under the supervision of Robert Hanlon, Ph.D. The testing is typically prior to clinical examination, although results are not available for about a week.
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Other tests are obtained in Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which is across the street from the practice. In most instances, these tests need to be arranged for several weeks in advance. Generally these tests are not routinely scheduled prior to the first visit but may be recommended after the evaluation.

Diagnosis, treatment and procedures
CDH is a "full service" integrated dizziness clinic, and we have three types of expert providers - physicians, audiologists, and physical therapists. For information about diagnosis, treatment and procedure, please go to this page.