Why Am I Dizzy? Understanding Vertigo, Balance, and How VNG Testing Can Help
- eastcoastaudpt
- Jul 1
- 3 min read
Have you ever stood up and suddenly felt the room spin? Or maybe you’ve had moments of unsteadiness, like your body is swaying even when you’re standing still. If so, you're not alone—millions of people experience dizziness or vertigo at some point in their lives. But what’s really going on when you feel off-balance?
At East Coast Audiology and Physical Therapy, our audiologists specialize in diagnosing the root causes of dizziness and vertigo through advanced testing like Videonystagmography (VNG). Let’s walk through what vertigo is, how your body’s balance system works, and how VNG testing helps us find real answers and solutions.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is more than just feeling dizzy. It’s a specific sensation that the world around you is spinning or tilting—even when you’re standing still. You might feel like you’re on a boat, or like the ground beneath you is shifting. These sensations can last seconds or minutes and may be triggered by movement, head position, or even just rolling over in bed.
The Vestibular System: Your Body’s Internal Balance Center
Your vestibular system is located in your inner ear. It works like a GPS for your body, helping you stay balanced and oriented in space. This system constantly sends signals to your brain about head movements and body position.
When the vestibular system isn’t working correctly, it can send incorrect signals to your brain, causing you to feel dizzy, off-balance, or like the room is spinning—classic signs of vertigo.
So… Why Am I Dizzy?
There are many possible reasons for dizziness, including:
Inner ear disorders like Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
Vestibular neuritis or labyrinthitis (often triggered by viral infections)
Migraines or vestibular migraines
Head injuries or concussions
Blood pressure fluctuations or cardiovascular issues
Medication side effects
Neurological conditions
Even stress and anxiety can amplify symptoms
The key is determining the root cause, and that’s where VNG testing comes in.
What Is VNG Testing?
Videonystagmography (VNG) is a non-invasive test performed by an audiologist to assess how well your inner ear and brain are working together to maintain balance. During the test, you’ll wear special goggles that track your eye movements while you follow lights, move your head, and experience gentle changes in position.
Why the eyes? Because your eyes and inner ears are closely linked through the vestibular system—abnormal eye movements can tell us a lot about how your balance system is functioning.
How VNG Testing Helps You
VNG testing helps us:
Identify which ear may be affected
Determine if your dizziness is caused by an inner ear problem or something else
Rule out more serious conditions
Build a customized treatment or therapy plan based on your unique results
At East Coast Audiology and Physical Therapy, we often work alongside our physical therapy team to provide vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) when appropriate. This integrated care approach helps many patients feel steady and confident again.
You Don’t Have to Live with Dizziness
If you're asking yourself “Why am I dizzy?” — it’s time to get real answers. Our expert audiologists are here to guide you through the diagnostic process, starting with VNG testing. Together, we can uncover what’s causing your dizziness or balance problems and create a plan to help you feel like yourself again.
Call us today to schedule your evaluation 315-786-3225. Let’s take the first step toward better balance and peace of mind.
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