New VNG Goggles Bring Precision to Brain and Balance Care at Howard Head

This article first appeared in the 2025 Annual Update >

For patients struggling with dizziness, vertigo, concussion, or balance problems, getting an accurate diagnosis is often the first step toward real relief. Thanks to benefactor support, Howard Head Sports Medicine (HHSM) now offers video nystagmography (VNG) goggles at six locations: Basalt, Dillon, Eagle, Edwards, Frisco, and Vail.

The new VNG system represents a significant upgrade from the Frenzel goggles that the Brain and Balance Care team has used since 2019. While Frenzel goggles allowed therapists to observe eye movements associated with vestibular disorders, interpreting those movements required extensive clinical experience, and subtle abnormalities could prove challenging to detect.

“The new VNG goggles allow us to easily see what we couldn’t reliably see before,” said Lauren Rust, Lead Physical Therapist of Brain and Balance Care at HHSM. “By capturing precise recordings of eye movements, we can make more confident diagnoses and tailor treatment more effectively for each patient.”

Using infrared cameras, the VNG goggles track and record eye movements, which are analyzed by specialized software. The technology evaluates gaze stability and eye movements such as smooth pursuit and saccades, offering insight into both peripheral vestibular system (inner ear and vestibular nerve) and central nervous system issues.

That level of precision is especially important for athletes recovering from concussions. The goggles help Howard Head therapists identify balance, vestibular, and vision impairments, guide treatment decisions, and monitor progress over time, thereby supporting safer, more informed return-to-sport decisions.

Having VNG goggles readily available inside Vail Health Hospital also supports faster evaluation for patients who arrive with dizziness or balance concerns. By enabling more accurate on-the-spot assessment, this technology allows therapists to begin appropriate treatment sooner, when timing matters most.