Expert audiologists and EEG technicians provide diagnostic services at the Center for Oto-Neurology

Established in 1977, the Center for Oto-Neurology serves Savannah and outlying areas in the evaluation and treatment of ear, hearing and speech, balance and central nervous system disorders. We provide state-of-the-art diagnostics and therapy for patients of all ages with oto-neurological disorders.

Services include:

Ambulatory EEG 

Brain activity is continuously recorded while the patient goes about normal activities for 24 hours. A resting EEG usually precedes this test. 

Pre-Test Instructions:

• Wash your hair thoroughly.
• Take your normal medications unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
• If your physician has ordered a sleep-deprived EEG, adjust your sleeping schedule. 

Audiometric Evaluation 

This includes a standard hearing test and other specialized hearing tests to locate problem areas in your ear and its nerve. There are no special preparations. If you wear a hearing aid, please bring it with you. Test time: 1 hour 

Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) 

This test uses a computer to check the pathway from ear to brainstem. Electrodes are placed on your ears and head as you lie on a reclining chair and listen to clicks and tones through earphones. Test time: 1 hour 

Electroencephalogram (EEG) 

An EEG detects and records electrical impulses in the brain. Twenty-two electrodes are applied to key areas on the head. Test time: 2 hours 

Pre-Test Instructions: 

• Wash your hair thoroughly.
• Take your normal medications unless otherwise instructed by your physician. 
• If your physician has ordered a sleep-deprived EEG, adjust your sleeping schedule. 

Inpatient Testing EMG (Electromyography) 

Records electrical activity in muscles - diagnoses diseases of nerves and muscles. 

Long-Term Digital Video EEG 

Simultaneous recording of routine EEG over a long period of time in combination with a video recording (useful in the diagnosis of seizure or epilepsy). 

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) 

This test records sounds in the external ear canal following an acoustic stimulus, evaluating peripheral hearing sensitivity. A probe is placed in the ear and records sounds. There are no special preparations. Test time: 15 minutes 

Pediatric ABR/ASSR 

The ABR evaluates hearing loss. It is necessary for your child to be relaxed in order to obtain results and medication may be required to encourage sleep. Medication will be administered by hospital nursing staff. Test time: 1-3 hours 

Pre-Test Instructions :

Infants and children up to age 6: 

• Do not eat or drink (other than sips of water) three hours prior to the appointment. 

Children 6 to adult: 

• Do not eat or drink (other than water) six hours prior to the appointment. 
• If your child has a cold or fever the day of the appointment, please call us at (912) 819-2479; we may need to reschedule.
• Try to keep your child up late the night before the test and awaken him/her early the morning of the test so he or she will be tired. Even if medication is being used to encourage sleep, it often does not work if the child has not been deprived of sleep prior to the test. Also, try not to allow your child to nap prior to testing, especially while riding in the car on the way to the hospital. 
• Two adults must be available to accompany the child home. 

Videonystagmography (VNG) 

This test evaluates the balance portion of your inner ear. Your eye movements are recorded on a computer as you follow a moving target and move your head and body. Cool and warm water are placed in your ear canals, which may make you slightly dizzy. Test time: 1-2 hours 

Pre-Test Instructions: 

• Do not take any medication for dizziness, nausea, allergy/cold/sinus or alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before testing. Medication taken for pain, sleep, anxiety/depression muscle relaxers and migraines may affect the test and should be avoided for 24 hours before testing if allowed by your referring physician. Please consult with your referring physician before discontinuing these medications.
• Continue to take medication for heart conditions, blood pressure, diabetes or seizures. 
• Please do not eat, drink or smoke 2-4 hours before the VNG.
• Please do not wear mascara or eyeliner. You can bring makeup with you to put on after the test. 
• If you are diabetic or hypoglycemic, eat a light snack instead of skipping a meal. 

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials

This test uses loud sounds and measures muscle responses that communicate to the balance structures in the inner ear responsible for linear movement and the two balance nerve pathways. There are two VEMP responses. The cervical VEMP that is measured at the neck and the ocular VEMP that is measured underneath the eyes. TEST TIME: 1 hour

Pre-Test Instructions:

• Do not take any mediation for dizziness, nausea, allergy/cold/sinus or alcoholic beverages for 24 hours before testing. Medication taken for pain, sleep, anxiety/depression, muscle relaxers and migraines may affect the test and should be avoided for 24 hours before testing if allowed by your referring physician.  Please consult with your referring physician before discontinuing these medications.

Visual Evoked Response (VER) 

This test measures the time it takes for a televised image to go from your eyes through the brain's occipital lobe. Please bring your glasses. Test time: 1 hour

Contact Us

The Center for Oto-Neurology has moved. We are now located in the Danny Brown Building across from the main entrance of St. Joseph's Hospital. The address is: 11702 Mercy Blvd., Plaza B (second floor), Savannah, Ga. 31419.

A physician’s referral is required to make an appointment with one of our certified audiologists. Please have referrals faxed to 912-819-2514 prior to scheduling.

For more information about our audiologists or the Center for Oto-Neurology, please call 912-819-2479.