Evaluation of vestibular system with vHIT in industrial workers with noise-induced hearing loss

Industrial workers are frequently exposed to noise and the noise can cause hearing loss. The relationship between vestibular abnormalities and long-term exposure to occupational noise has been reported. The aim of this study was to use vHIT (video head impulse test) to evaluate the semicircular canal's function in industrial workers with noise-induced hearing loss.

In the present study, we included 36 male patients (aged 28-55 years, mean 44.4 ± 6.1 years) with hearing loss due to noise exposure from working in the steel and metal industry for at least 4 years, and a control group of 30 healthy men (aged 34-50 years, mean 41.1 ± 4.5 years) without hearing loss. The gain of the vestibulo-ocular reflex for all 6 semicircular canals was examined by vHIT in 66 patients.

Canal deficit was detected in 20 (55.5%) of 36 patients in the noise exposure hearing loss group and was detected in 2 (6.6%) of 30 participants in the control group. There was significant loss of capacity for VOR gain in patients with noise exposure hearing loss.

In the present study we found that exposure to noise can cause vestibular dysfunction. And the vHIT is easily applicable, quick and practical and can individually evaluate all semicircular channels. Therefore, to evaluate vestibular function with vHIT is quick and practical.