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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

A Unified Methodological Framework for Vestibular Schwannoma Research
Published on: June 20, 2017
Audiovestibular Loss of Function Correlates in Vestibular Schwannomas
Niels West1, Martin Nue Møller1, Søren Hansen1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Objectives:
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationships between tumor size, hearing, and vestibular outcomes in patients with vestibular schwannomas (VSs).
Materials And Methods:
Adult patients (n=124) with unilateral extrameatal VS prior to surgery were included in the study. This was a retrospective cohort study of preoperative audiovestibular investigations including audiometry, discrimination test, caloric test, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (c-VEMP), and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (o-VEMP).
Results:
The difference between lesioned and non-lesioned ear was significant for all audiovestibular outcomes. The mean caloric deficit was 74%. No tumor sided o-VEMPs were elicited. Caloric deficit correlated with hearing loss measured with pure tone average and discrimination score. c-VEMP deficit was significantly associated with severe hearing loss and larger tumors.
Conclusion:
The presence of VS leads to a significant deterioration of audiovestibular function in all objective measures. Caloric test and o-VEMPS are sensitive though unspecific measures of VSs. Increasing tumor size is not directly associated with hearing loss and only somewhat to vestibular deficit. However, audiovestibular findings are correlated.
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