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Published on: August 30, 2019
High-frequency semicircular canal deficit affects postural control in hearing-impaired children
P Reynard1, E Ionescu2, N Goulème3
1Service d'audiologie et explorations otoneurologiques, CHU Édouard-Herriot, Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France; Paris Hearing Institute, Institut Pasteur, Inserm U1120, Paris, France.
Objectives:
The present study aimed to analyse the impact of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain deficit on postural control (PC) in children with sensorineural hearing loss.
Methods:
A retrospective study included 55 children with sensorineural hearing loss between 4 and 17 years of age. The Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT®) was used to assess semicircular canal function. PC was assessed on the Balance Quest® posturographic platform testing sensory organisation.
Results:
Spatial and temporal postural parameters (area and mean speed of centre of pressure oscillation, spectral power index) in the OKN-U condition (optokinetic with unstable platform) were significantly better in children with than without VOR deficit.
Conclusion:
Posturographic exploration in the OKN-U condition can screen for semicircular canal deficit in hearing-impaired children. VOR deficit also seems to predict PC deficit.
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