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The relationship between senile hearing loss and vestibular activity
Hanifi Kurtaran1, Baran Acar2, Emre Ocak2
1Turgut Ozal University Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ankara, Turkey.
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
|March 22, 2016
Summary
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is frequently linked to vestibular dysfunction. This study found abnormal vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test results in SNHL patients, indicating underlying vestibular weakness.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) often co-occurs with dizziness and vestibular symptoms.
- The relationship between SNHL and vestibular dysfunction requires further investigation in adult populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between vestibular dysfunction and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in adults.
- To determine if SNHL patients exhibit subclinical vestibular abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, double-blinded, controlled study involving 63 adult patients.
- Audiological status assessed via pure tone audiometry.
- Vestibular function evaluated using vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing, comparing SNHL patients to controls.
Main Results:
- Patients with SNHL showed significantly prolonged P1 and N1 latencies in VEMP tests (p<0.001).
- VEMP amplitudes were significantly reduced in the SNHL group compared to controls (p<0.001).
- Both VEMP latency and amplitude parameters were abnormal in the SNHL group.
Conclusions:
- Age-related SNHL may be associated with vestibular weakness.
- Vestibular dysfunction can occur in SNHL patients even without predisposing factors for vestibulopathy.
- VEMP testing can identify vestibular abnormalities in patients with SNHL.
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