Evaluation of the vestibular system in individuals with presbycusis using video head impulse test and videonystagmography

Abstract

Background

Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function is expected to be normal in patients with presbycusis during sudden head rotations.

Aim

This study aimed to determine whether presbycusis was accompanied by vestibular system pathologies. In addition, it was examined whether there was a difference existed between the patients with and without presbycusis in terms of normative data.

Materials and Methods

A total of 40 individuals were included in the study: 20 in the presbycusis group and 20 in the control group. The vestibular systems of both groups were evaluated using the video head impulse test and videonystagmography.

Results

The right and left lateral VOR gain values were decreased in the group with presbycusis compared to the control group. The difference between the two groups in the mean VOR gains in the right lateral canal and left lateral canal were statistically significant (p = .040 and p = .050, respectively). The air caloric tests of all individuals were found to be normal.

Conclusions

This result suggests that the loss of vestibular hair cells and vestibular nerve degeneration in the lateral semicircular canal may be more severe in presbycusis than in the same age group with normal hearing.

Chinese abstract

背景：在头部突然转动的情况下, 老年性耳聋患者的前庭眼球反射（VOR）功能应该是正常的。

目的：本研究旨在确定老年性耳聋是否伴有前庭系统病变。另外, 检查有和没有老年性耳聋的患者之间是否存在规范数据方面的差异。

材料和方法：共40人被纳入研究：20名老年性耳聋组和对照组20名。两组的前庭系统均采用视频头冲动测试和视频眼震描记法进行评估。

结果：与对照组相比, 老年性耳聋组的左、右侧VOR增益值降低。两组的右侧管和左侧管平均VOR增益之差有统计学意义（分别为p¼.040和p¼.050）。发现所有个体的空气热量测试都是正常的。

结论：这一结果表明, 与听力正常的同龄组相比, 老年患者的外侧半规管中前庭毛细胞的丢失和前庭神经退变更为严重。

Keywords:

• Presbycusis
• video head impulse test
• videonystagmography

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).