Ear Center: ENG Instructions

ELECTRONYSTAGMOGRAPHY INSTRUCTIONS (ENG)

You will need to be accompanied by a loved one or friend who will stay in the office during the entire test.  The person will need to drive you home because the test is often stimulating. You may feel weak, tired, or dizzy following the test. You should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery during the day of the ENG test.

It is important that you arrive on time for your ENG test. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, we will need to reschedule the ENG as there will not be enough time for us to complete the evaluation. Testing will take approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

About the ENG Test

Your doctor has ordered an ENG test in order to quantitatively evaluate your inner ear balance system. The ENG is used to help determine the nature of your dizziness. The test usually causes no pain. Some patients experience some minor discomfort as cold water is placed in each ear at the end of the test. Some patients experience distinct dizziness during the test. Occasionally, the test may make you feel nauseated or cause vomiting. Some patients experience very few side effects, if any, from the test.

Our Recommendations:

  1. If your test is in the morning, DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING on the morning of the test. This includes coffee, juice, cola, mints, lozenges, cereal, or any other edible substance. If your test is in the afternoon, you may eat a light breakfast consisting of clear liquids and a piece of toast before 10:00AM
  2. DO NOT take any of the following substances for 72 hours before the test (or the test results may not be valid, and the test will need to be rescheduled):
    1. Alcohol in any form
    2. Sleeping medications
    3. Antihistamines or cold remedies
    4. No-Doz or similar stay awake medications
    5. Medications for dizziness or pain (Meclizine™, Bonine™, Antivert™, Scopolamine, Vertab™, Tylenol with Codeine™, etc)
  3. If you are taking any of the anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, or muscle relaxant medications listed below, please inform us before your test so that we may consult with your physician:
    1. Tranxene™
    2. Prozac™
    3. Thorazine™
    4. Xanax™
    5. Limbitrol™
    6. Valium™
    7. Elavil™
    8. Compazine™
    9. Haldol™
  4. Continue to take your heart and blood pressure medications.

8. DO NOT use ANY FORM of tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, etc) on the day of the test.

9. Please DO NOT WEAR FACIAL COSMETICS OR PERFUME on the day of the test.

10.. Please DO NOT wear contact lenses. You may bring your glasses along, but you cannot wear them during testing.

11. We suggest wearing comfortable slacks, pants, or a sweat suit.

If you do not have a follow-up appointment with your doctor, an audiologist will call you with the results after your doctor has reviewed them. Test results will not be available on the day of test.

12. The cost of an ENG test is usually covered by insurance. It is our policy to request payment for office services at the time of your office visit unless you are covered by an insurance plan with which we participate.

Please feel free to contact the Audiology department at (336) 273-9932 if you have any questions or concerns about your scheduled ENG.