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Vestibular and Balance Laboratory

Serves two primary goals:​ ​1.) to provide clinical services in the assessment of balance and dizziness and, 2.) to conduct research in vestibular physiology in both health and pathology.

  • ​Overview

    The Vestibular and Balance Laboratory serves two primary goals:

    • To provide clinical services in the assessment of balance and dizziness
    • To conduct research in vestibular physiology in both health and pathology

    Clinically, the Vestibular Lab sees patients of all ages with complaint of imbalance and/or dizziness. We provide comprehensive balance a​nd vestibular evaluations, vestibular rehabilitation and fall prevention. The primary goal of the research program is to understand the underlying physiology of the vestibular system in health and disease and relate this to improving diagnostic testing and treatment.

    Specific Areas of Research:

    • Improving pediatric vestibular assessment and rehabilitation
    • Improving VEMP test performance in specific patient populations
    • Collaboration with the Vestibular Genetics Lab in understanding the molecular cause of BPPV to improve treatment methods

  • Facilities

    The Vestibular and Balance Laboratory consists of the following major equipment:

    • Two ENG/VNG systems with water caloric irrigators
    • ISCAN 3-D Eye Tracking System
    • Rotary Chair with Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) and manual, lateral off-axis rotation capability
    • NeuroCom SMART Equitest and InVision with long force plate, allowing the following assessments:
      • Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP)
      • Postural Evoked Responses (PER)
      • Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA)
      • Gaze Stabilization Test (GST)
      • Cervical and Ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (c- and oVEMP) Testing

    An additional evaluation room is located at Boys Town National Research Hospital's Pacific ​Street Hospital and is equipped with an ENG/VNG system with a water caloric irrigator. Cervical and ocular VEMP testing is also available at the Pacific Street Hospital.

  • Staff

    The laboratory is directed by Kristen Janky, Au.D., Ph.D., with Ashley Kaufman, Au.D., Megan Thomas, Au.D., Susan Stangl, Au.D., Rhonda Dick, Au.D., and Katie Soltys, Au.D. assisting with clinical vestibular services. Diane Givens, M.S., PT, NCS provides vestibular rehabilitation services.

    Megan Thomas, Au.D., Diane Givens, M.S., PT, NCS, and Amanda Rodriguez, PhD, assist with research activities.

  • Specific Areas of Research

    Improving pediatric vestibular assessment and rehabilitation
    Improving VEMP test performance in specific patient populations
    Collaboration with the Vestibular Genetics Lab in understanding the molecular cause of BPPV to improve treatment methods