Electronystagmography findings in child unilateral sensorineural hearing loss of probable viral origin

We studied the labyrinthine function in a group of 72 children aged between 4 and 14 years affected by unilateral sensorineural hearing loss of probable viral origin. From the analysis of the results obtained we confirm the concomitance of cochlear and vestibular damage. However, there were no statistically significant differences between type of audiogram at onset of hearing loss and type of electronystagmography (ENG), while we found a direct correlation between the presence of vertigo or dizziness and type of ENG. Finally hearing recovery was influenced by the presence of vertigo or labyrinthine function alterations. The results of statistical analysis confirmed a significant statistical difference between patients with vertigo or dizziness (V(+)) and those without vertigo (V(-)) and also between patients with ENG 3 (subjects with spontaneous nystagmus or positional nystagmus and canal paresis ipsilateral to the cochlear lesion) and those with ENG 1 (subjects without spontaneous nystagmus or positional nystagmus and with normal vestibular reflex). In fact, hearing recovery was worse in V(+) group and in ENG 3 group.