Position Statement: Vestibular Myogenic Potential (VEMP) Testing

The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery recognizes that Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) testing is a useful neurophysiologic test and is medically indicated and appropriate in the evaluation of certain persons with suspected auditory and balance or dizziness disorders.

Originally Published: September 2014
Reviewed: February 2026

References:

1. Bhansali SA, Landau T: Clinical Usefulness of the VEMP Test in Vestibular Diagnosis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 139(2):P53,2008
2. Bhansali SA, Landau T: Comparing the VEMP and ENG Tests in Vestibular Diagnosis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 139(2):P156,2008.
3. Halmagyi GM and others. The click-evoked vestibulo-ocular reflex in superior semicircular canal dehiscence. Neurology 60:1172-1175,2003.
4. Hain TC, Yoo H, Rudisill H, Tanaka-Cameron A. VEMP testing in bilateral vestibular loss. Poster at ANA annual meeting, Chicago Oct 9, 2006.
5. Rauch SD and others. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials show altered tuning in patients with Meniere’s disease. Otol Neurotol 25:333-338, 2004.

6. Strupp M, Bisdorff A, Furman J, et al. Acute unilateral vestibulopathy/vestibular neuritis: Diagnostic criteria: Consensus document of the committee for the classification of vestibular disorders of the Barany Society. Journal of Vestibular Research. 2022;32(5):389-406. doi:3233/VES-220201
7. Liu X, Xu X. Reconsideration of acute unilateral vestibulopathy/vestibular neuritis: A prospective cohort study with function test-based classification. Journal of Vestibular Research. 2024;35(2):73-81. doi:1177/09574271241300326
8. Rosengren SM, Welgampola MS, Taylor RL. Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Bilateral Vestibulopathy. Front Neurol. 2018;9:252. Published 2018 Apr 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00252
9. Dlugaiczyk J, Habs M, Dieterich M. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in vestibular migraine and Menière’s disease: cVEMPs make the difference. J Neurol. 2020;267(Suppl 1):169-180. 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-020-09902-4
10. Position Statement on the Audiologist’s Role in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Vestibular Disorders

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Position statements are approved by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery or Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Boards of Directors and are typically generated from AAO-HNS/F committees. Once approved by the Academy or Foundation Board of Directors, they become official position statements and are added to the existing position statement library. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of position statements, as guidance for a procedure, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these clinical position statements will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. As with all AAO-HNS/F guidance, this position statement should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. Position statements are not intended to and should not be treated as legal, medical, or business advice.