05 Instructions for ENG Testing
The Electronystagmographic (ENG) is designed to detect abnormalities of the balance portion of the inner ear and/or central nervous system. You will be seen by a clinical audiologist, who will attach a few small plastic disks called electrodes on your face. Recordings will be made while you are asked to perform specific simple tasks (i.e., looking from right to left or lying on your side). Most of the test will be performed with you resting comfortably in an examination chair. During the last portion of the ENG, your ear canals will be irrigated with a small stream of warm or cool water. This stimulates your balance system and allows a measurement of the inner ear's response. This may cause some degree of dizziness that usually does not last very long. The entire ENG test takes approximately 90 minutes.
Ear Exam
Make sure your ears are examined for wax, infection, or eardrum perforation prior to this test. Wax impactions must be removed before we can perform this test.
Forty-Eight Hours Prior to Testing
Certain substances can influence the body's response to this test. Therefore we request you discuss with your physician the possibility of discontinuing any of the following medications for at least 48 hours before the administration of the test.
- Anti-Vertigo Medicines: Antivert, R-vert, etc.
- Anti-Nausea Medicines: Dramamine, Compazine, Bonine, Vontrol, Phenergan, Thorazine, etc.
- Antihistamines: Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetane, Disophrol, Benadryl, Actifed, Teldrin, Triaminic and many other over-the-counter cold remedies,
- Narcotics and Barbiturates: Phenobarbital, Codeine, Demerol, Dilaudid, Percodan, Phenaphen, etc.
- Sedatives: Nembutal, Dalmane, Doriden, Placidyl, Quaaludes, Butisol, or any other sleeping pill
- Tranquilizers: Valium, Librium, Atarax, Vistaril, Triavil, Etrafon, etc.
- Alcohol: You should not drink any alcoholic beverage, including beer, for three days before your test
Please continue all medications for heart or kidney conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes or convulsions. DO NOT DISCONTINUE ANY MEDICATIONS WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF YOUR PHYSICIAN. It would be helpful to bring a list of your current medications to your ENG exam.
Date of Testing
Food and Drink: It is recommended that you refrain from eating at least three hours before the test. If you feel you must eat, it is best to have something light, such as dry toast and juice. Diabetics and hypoglycemics should continue their normal eating patterns.
Skin Preparation: Please do not wear eye or facial make-up. Do not apply moisturizers or creams the day of testing.
Glasses, Contact Lenses: If you wear glasses, bring them with you to your appointment. If you normally wear contact lenses, you may wear them but bring your glasses and contact lens case.
Following Testing
A small percentage of patients feel off-balance following the test. For those patients we recommend they do not drive. It would be best to have someone else with you that could drive or have someone on-call that could come and pick you up in the event you cannot drive home.
|
Abingdon ENT is proud to welcome
Mary Hinchey, AuD to our practice. She is now seeing patients at our Abingdon location. |
|
