If the expected eye movements do not occur, there may be some damage to the nerve of the inner ear.

Any disease or injury that damages the acoustic nerve can cause vertigo. This may include:

• Congenital disorders
• Trauma
• Rubella
• Blood vessel disorders with hemorrhage (bleeding), clots, or atherosclerosis of the blood supply of the ear
• Cholesteatoma and other ear tumors
• Some poisons
• Medications that are toxic to the ear nerves, including aminoglycoside antibiotics, some antimalarial drugs, loop diuretics, and salicylates

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Acoustic neuroma
• Benign positional vertigo
• Labyrinthitis
• Meniere's disease