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Using Unidirectional Rotations to Improve Vestibular System Asymmetry in Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction
Published on: August 30, 2019
Habilitation of auditory and vestibular dysfunction.
Hillary A Snapp1, Michael C Schubert
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Miami, 1120 Northwest 14th Street, Fifth Floor, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America
|April 10, 2012
Summary
Vestibular schwannoma (VS) removal causes hearing loss and balance issues. This review covers rehabilitation strategies like CROS aids and exercises to improve auditory and vestibular function after VS treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-otology
- Neurosurgery
- Audiology
Background:
- Unilateral hearing loss is an early sign of vestibular schwannoma (VS).
- Vestibular schwannoma can affect cranial nerves and vessels in the cerebellopontine angle, causing diverse symptoms.
- Surgical removal of VS leads to significant deficits in hearing, balance, and gaze stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review modern auditory and vestibular rehabilitation strategies for patients treated for vestibular schwannoma.
- To highlight the impact of VS removal on binaural hearing and balance functions.
- To discuss interventions aimed at mitigating post-treatment functional deficits.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current treatment options for auditory and vestibular deficits.
- Analysis of rehabilitation techniques for hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance impairment.
- Discussion of assistive devices and therapeutic exercises.
Main Results:
- Hearing loss post-VS removal impairs localization, loudness summation, and speech-in-noise ability.
- Reduced balance and gaze stability increase the risk of falls.
- Various rehabilitation options exist, including CROS, bone-anchored implants, and vestibular exercises.
Conclusions:
- Effective auditory and vestibular rehabilitation is crucial for improving quality of life after VS treatment.
- A multidisciplinary approach combining technology and therapy can address post-surgical deficits.
- Ongoing research and development in rehabilitation techniques are essential.
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