Glossary of Terms

The definitions appearing in this Glossary are provided solely for general informational purposes.

Find Term:

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

A brief, violent vertiginous episode occurring within seconds after a change in head position.
BPPV is the most common cause of episodic vertigo.

Dysequilibrium

A sense of unsteadiness or imbalance typically exacerbated by movement or environmental
influences.

Electronystagmography (ENG)

The recording of eye movements, either by electrodes worn around the eyes or through
infrared video oculography.

Meniere's Disease

Recurrent vertigo, fluctuating sensory-neural hearing loss in one ear and tinnitus in the same
ear caused by increased pressure in the membranous labyrinth.

Nystagmus

Involuntary back-and-forth or rotary movements of the eyeball. It is named for the fast
movement when fast and slow movements alternate.

Otalgia

Ear pain.

Ototoxicity

Ototoxicity refers to medication-caused auditory and/or vestibular system dysfunction
resulting in hearing loss or dysequilibrium.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Impairment of sensation in the extremitites frequently associated with circulatory diseases.

Proprioceptive

Pertaining to the awareness of touch and of body movement and position.

Tinnitus

Ringing or other sounds in the ear, usually heard only by the affected person.

Vertigo

A sensation of rotating, either of oneself (subjective vertigo) or of one's surroundings
(objective vertigo).

Vestibular Ocular Reflex (VOR)

Serves to maintain clear vision during head movement.

Videonystagmography (VNG)

The recording of eye movements via infrared video.

Portions of this glossary were quoted from "Dizziness and Balance Disorders - Evaluation and Treatment by
Alan L. Desmond. ©2001