vHIT Testing

They probe the same organ at opposite ends of the frequency range. Caloric testing works at very low frequencies and evaluates only the horizontal canal, one ear at a time. vHIT works at the high frequencies your head actually produces when you walk, drive, or turn to a voice, and it assesses all six canals.

Neither replaces the other, and a normal vHIT alongside an abnormal caloric result is a meaningful finding rather than a contradiction. Ordering both is common in our Mesa clinic, and the interpretation your physician receives explains how the two fit together for your symptoms.

An abnormal result usually shows up as a catch-up eye movement, a small corrective flick the eyes make because they lagged behind the head turn. Which direction produces it points to the affected canal and side, and the measured gain puts a number on how much function is reduced.

What that means for you depends on the rest of the picture. A one-sided loss after a sudden vertigo episode often reflects an inner ear infection or inflammation, and many people compensate well over weeks with the right exercises. Reduced function on both sides raises different questions, including medication history. Your referring physician uses the report to decide the next step, and we are happy to answer questions about the recording itself.

Preparation is minimal. Come with clean skin around the eyes and skip eye makeup, since the goggles track your pupils with an infrared camera and mascara or liner can blur the recording. Contact lenses are usually fine, but bring your glasses as a backup in case we ask you to remove them.

Tell us in advance about any neck problem, recent injury, or cervical surgery so the head turns can be modified or replaced with another measure. Otherwise, take your regular medications unless your physician has said not to, and bring your insurance cards, photo ID, and the order from your referring provider. Call (480) 265-8067 if anything is unclear.