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Vestibular diagnostics at a glance

Which test answers which question?

Briefly explained: how the tests of instrumental vestibular diagnostics work, what they measure and when they help – for ENT, neurology and physiotherapy.

We are presenting the tests one by one with detailed technical information. We start with vOCR, dynamic visual acuity and oculomotor testing.

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Tests by clinical question

Your questionVideo head impulse testSHIMPDynamic visual acuityvOCRCaloric testing and VNGPositional and positioning testsOculomotor testingMobile posturography
Has a semicircular canal failed?●●●
Are the otoliths affected?●
Does the deficit affect everyday life?●●
Is it positional vertigo?●
Is there evidence of a central cause?●●●
How high is the risk of falling?●

All tests at a glance

With detailed technical information – procedure, evidence and clinical benefit:

vOCR: the eyes counter-roll when the head is tilted

vOCR

Otolith function (utricle) via head tilt

How the test works

DVA: Landolt ring sharp with intact VOR, blurred with VOR deficit

Dynamic visual acuity (DVA)

Vision during head movement

How the test works

Oculomotor testing: saccades, normal and abnormal

Oculomotor testing

central or peripheral – gaze holding, saccades, smooth pursuit, optokinetics

How the test works

Further tests

Video head impulse test (vHIT)

Semicircular canals, high frequency

Technical information coming soon

SHIMP

Head impulse with residual function and follow-up

Technical information coming soon

Caloric testing and VNG

side-specific, low frequency

Technical information coming soon

Positional and positioning tests

Detect and treat BPPV

Technical information coming soon

Mobile posturography (VertiGuard)

Balance and risk of falling

Technical information coming soon

Who it is for

ENT

From head impulse basics to complete diagnostics: vOCR, DVA and SHIMP complement vHIT and caloric testing.

Neurology

Central or peripheral? Oculomotor testing, vHIT and positional testing measured objectively instead of observed.

Physiotherapy

Make vestibular rehab progress measurable: DVA, positioning with repositioning manoeuvre, balance with VertiGuard.

All tests with one system

Merlin covers the tests with one pair of video goggles – as a purchase, subscription or per examination.