INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF SUDDEN HEARING LOSS ON VESTIBULAR TESTS

Idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL) is associated with vestibular complaints in 30% of cases. In this study, we aimed to determine the change in caloric test responses in ISHL, determine the degree of influence on the vestibular nerve, investigate the correlation between vestibular nerve damage and vestibular complaints during admission, and evaluate the effect of vestibular nerve influence on the recovery process. Patients with ISHL were divided into groups with and without vestibular complaints and classified according to their hearing level. Pure sound thresholds of 250 to 8000 Hz and caloric responses with air stimulus were recorded via videonystamography. Audiometry and videonistagmography were repeated three months after the end of systemic corticosteroid therapy. The difference between the audiometric and caloric test data according to the level of hearing loss at the time of diagnosis and the difference between the patient groups were examined. 50 patients with idiopathic ISHL were included. The hearing threshold at 8000 Hz frequency in patients with idiopathic hearing loss who had vestibular complaints was found to be more affected. Unilateral weakness in the caloric test was significantly higher in patients with vestibular complaints. In patients with ISHL accompanied by vestibular complaints, higher frequency hearing thresholds are affected to a higher degree. The presence of vestibular complaints suggests that vestibular function is also affected by ISHL. Improvement in high-frequency hearing thresholds is seen at a lower degree in patients with vestibular complaints.