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Vestibular Function in Long-Term Hearing Aid Users: A Preliminary Investigation.
M Ramiz Malik1, Kaushlendra Kumar1, Mohan Kumar Kalaiah1
1Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Kasturba Medical College Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, India.
Audiology Research
|January 21, 2026
Summary
Long-term use of high-power hearing aids did not significantly affect vestibular function, as measured by vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) and video head impulse test (vHIT). Further research is recommended to confirm these findings.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) often necessitates hearing aid use.
- The impact of prolonged high-power hearing aid use on peripheral vestibular function is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) and video head impulse test (vHIT) in long-term hearing aid users versus non-users with SNHL.
- To investigate potential effects of high-power hearing aids on peripheral vestibular organs.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 67 adults with moderate to profound SNHL.
- Comparison of VEMP latency/amplitude and vHIT vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain between hearing aid users and non-users.
- Multiple linear regression to assess the association between hearing aid duration and vestibular function.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in most VEMP or vHIT parameters between groups.
- A minor difference was noted in cVEMP P1 latency in the left ear.
- Hearing aid duration was not significantly associated with any vestibular measure.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged use of high-power hearing aids does not appear to alter vestibular function measurably.
- Longitudinal studies with controlled variables are needed to validate these preliminary findings.
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