Rapid Interpretation of Balance Function Tests

Michael J. Ruckenstein, MD, is Professor and Vice Chairman of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, where he directs the Residency Training Program, the Balance Center, and the Center for Implantable Hearing Devices. He holds a specialty certification in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and a subspecialty certification in Neurotology from the American Board of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. He has an active clinical practice focusing on medical and surgical diseases of the ear and skull base. His research focuses on the development of quality of life measures for diseases such as acoustic neuromas and Meniere's disease, as well as the pathophysiology of inner ear disease. Sherrie Davis, AuD is a clinical specialist in the Department of Audiology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is the Director of Clinical Services of the Dizziness and Balance Center. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and holds a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech and Hearing Association. She has provided vestibular diagnostic testing and interpretation to patients ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics for more than 20 years.

1.Introduction 2. Vestibular Physiology - a qualitative review of what you need to know 3. Balance Function Testing - Overview, Indications, and Limitations 4. The ENG/VNG (Testing Apparatus, Smooth Pursuit, Saccade, Nystagmus - Spontaneous, Positional, Head Shake, Hyperventilation, Caloric Testing 5. Rotatory Chair 6. Posturography 7. Case examples