Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) in patients with auditory neuropathy: Auditory neuropathy or audiovestibular neuropathy?

Abstract

Conclusion: Our results suggest that isolated auditory or vestibular involvement is unlikely and in fact audiovestibular neuropathy can better explain auditory neuropathy. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate saccule and related neural pathways in auditory neuropathy patients. Methods: Three males and five females diagnosed with auditory neuropathy were included in this prospective study. Patients' ages ranged from 21 to 45 years with a mean age of 28.6 ± 8.1 years and the history of disease was between 4 and 19 years. A group of 30 normal subjects served as the control group. The main outcome measures were the mean peak latency (in ms) of the two early waves (p13 and n23) of the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test in patients and controls. Results: Of the 8 patients (16 ears), normal response was detected in 3 ears (1 in right and 2 in left ears). There were unrepeatable waves in four ears and absent VEMPs in nine ears.

Keywords::

• Auditory neuropathy
• vestibular evoked myogenic potential
• vestibule
• neural hearing loss

Acknowledgment

This study was supported by a grant from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Otolaryngology Research Center.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.