Vestibular (dys)function in children with sensorineural hearing loss: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to provide an overview of the prevalence of vestibular dysfunction in children with SNHL classified according to the applied test and its corresponding sensitivity and specificity. Design: Data were gathered using a systematic search query including reference screening. Study sample: Pubmed, Web of Science and Embase were searched. Strategy and reporting of this review was based on the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Methodological quality was assessed with the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. Results: All studies, regardless the applied vestibular test, showed that vestibular function differs significantly between children with hearing loss and normal hearing (p < 0.05). Compared with caloric testing, the sensitivity of the Rotational Chair Test (RCT) varies between 61 and 80% and specificity between 21 and 80%, whereas this was, respectively, 71–100% and 30–100% for collic Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (cVEMP). Compared with RCT, the sensitivity was 88–100% and the specificity was 69–100% for the Dynamic Visual Acuity test, respectively, 67–100% and 71–100% for the (video) Head Impulse Test and 83% and 86% for the ocular VEMP. Conclusions: Currently, due to methodological shortcoming, evidence on sensitivity and specificity of vestibular tests is unknown to moderate. Future research should focus on adequate sample sizes (subgroups >30).

Keywords:

• Children
• sensorineural hearing loss
• cochlear implant
• vestibular loss
• prevalence
• vestibular function test
• sensitivity and specificity

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Supplementary material available online

Notes

¹ Formulas were derived from the recommended procedures published by the British Society of Audiology.