Balance Testing Lafayette

Name: Balance Testing
Brand: Louisiana ENT Specialists
Rating: 5 (341 reviews)

Balance testing helps uncover the cause of dizziness, unsteadiness, or vertigo by evaluating how your body's balance systems are working together—especially the inner ear, which plays a key role in stability.

Find Your ENT Request Appointment

Balance Testing in Lafayette: Understanding Balance Disorders and Why Testing Matters

Balance is something most people take for granted—until it becomes a daily challenge. At Louisiana ENT Specialists, we understand that even mild dizziness or instability can interfere with your ability to drive, work, or walk confidently. Our Lafayette-based team offers in-office balance testing to identify the underlying cause of these symptoms and help you move toward lasting relief.

Balance disorders can be caused by a variety of conditions including inner ear problems, head trauma, migraines, medication side effects, or neurological issues. Because balance involves coordination between the eyes, brain, muscles, and vestibular system (located in the inner ear), testing is often the first and most important step in diagnosing the problem accurately. If you've been feeling off-balance or dizzy, schedule a balance evaluation with Louisiana ENT Specialists in Lafayette to get clarity and direction.

How Balance Testing Works

The most common and reliable method we use is called videonystagmography (VNG)—a non-invasive test that tracks your eye movements to evaluate how your brain and inner ear respond to different types of motion and stimuli. Your balance testing at LENTS in Lafayette may involve three parts:

Eye Movement Testing

You'll sit in a dark room wearing special goggles that record your eye movements while you follow moving dots. This helps evaluate how your brain and eyes work together.

Positional Testing

Your provider will gently move your head or body to observe how your eyes respond to changes in position. This can reveal whether inner ear imbalances are affecting your stability.

Caloric Testing

Warm and cool air or water is introduced into each ear canal. This triggers a natural response from your balance system and allows us to detect which ear, if any, may be affected.

Each step provides valuable insights into how well your vestibular system is functioning and whether a specific part of the inner ear is responsible for your symptoms.

Conditions That Balance Testing Can Help Diagnose

Through balance testing, our specialists can identify or rule out a number of inner ear and neurological conditions, including:

Vertigo
Vestibular neuritis
Meniere's disease
Labyrinthitis
Migraines
Head or neck injuries
Side effects from medications
Other vestibular disorders

Even if your symptoms seem mild or occasional, testing can help prevent them from progressing or interfering further with your lifestyle.

Benefits of Balance Testing

The most important benefit of balance testing is clarity. Rather than guessing what might be causing your symptoms, we can identify the root issue and build an appropriate treatment plan from there.
Other benefits include:

Early detection of potentially serious conditions
Customized treatment recommendations
Reduced risk of falls and accidents
Peace of mind knowing the exact cause of your dizziness or imbalance
Improved quality of life through targeted therapy

Who Is a Candidate for Balance Testing?

You may be a candidate for balance testing at Louisiana ENT Specialists in Lafayette if you:

Feel unsteady when walking or standing
Experience recurring dizziness or lightheadedness
Have episodes of vertigo (spinning sensation)
Have recently suffered a head or inner ear injury
Have balance-related symptoms with no clear explanation
Are taking medications that could impact equilibrium
Have noticed new difficulties with movement or coordination

Children and adults alike can experience balance disorders, which is why we offer testing for all age groups.

Your Balance Testing Experience

At your appointment, your provider will begin by reviewing your symptoms and medical history. Testing typically takes place in a quiet, dimly lit room and is designed to be non-invasive and low-stress. You may feel brief moments of dizziness during some parts of the exam, but most patients tolerate it well.

Depending on your results, your provider may schedule a follow-up visit to review findings and outline a personalized treatment plan. This may include medications, vestibular rehabilitation therapy, lifestyle changes, or referrals for further imaging or care.

Balance Testing FAQs

If I'm only slightly unsteady, should I still get tested?

Yes. Even subtle changes in balance can be signs of an underlying vestibular issue. Early testing can help catch problems before they worsen.

Can children have balance problems, too?

Absolutely. Kids can experience inner ear infections, vestibular conditions, or coordination challenges that affect their balance. We offer pediatric-friendly testing when appropriate.

Why Choose Louisiana ENT Specialists in Lafayette for Balance Testing?

At LENTS, we believe every patient deserves to feel steady and confident in their movements. Our experienced ENT providers in Lafayette offer thorough diagnostic evaluations using trusted tools like videonystagmography to uncover the root cause of balance issues. We take a personalized approach to care—walking you through each step and recommending the best treatment options based on your unique symptoms and test results.

If you're tired of feeling dizzy, unstable, or unsure on your feet, contact Louisiana ENT Specialists to schedule balance testing in Lafayette today.