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Objectives: Subjective visual vertical (SVV) is a simple, quick and reliable test for measuring utricular function. The literature on the effects of fundamental demographic variables such as age and gender on SVV is inconclusive and should be supported by research with larger samples. The aim of the present study was to determine the influences of age, gender and geometric pattern of visual image on SVV among healthy adults. Study Design: This study employed a repeated measures design. Settings: Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. Participants: Eligible Malaysian adults (N = 187, aged 21-75 years) were recruited and categorised into young (N = 60), middle-aged (N = 66) and older (N = 61) groups. Most of them were Malay, and 51.3% were men. Main Outcome Measures: Subjective visual vertical angles (in degrees) were determined from each participant in a static upright condition using a computerised SVV device. They were asked to indicate their verticality perception for three types of visual images (solid line, dotted line and arrow pattern).Results: Three-way mixed ANOVA revealed insignificant influences of age and gender on SVV results (P > 0.05). In contrast, mean SVV angles were significantly higher for the arrow pattern than for other visual images (P = 0.004).Conclusion: While the insignificant influences of age and gender on static SVV are further ascertained with larger samples, the perception of verticality is less accurate when aligning a more geometrically complex visual image (ie, arrow pattern). Further SVV research on vestibular-disordered patients is beneficial, particularly to verify the normative data obtained with this complex visual image.

Head size is not the main contributing factor for gender disparities in speech-ABR outcomes. Gender-specific normative data can be useful when recording speech-ABR for clinical purposes.

Background and purpose: Gender disparities in auditory brainstem response (ABR) results have been reported but the exact reasons remain controversial. Difference in head size between genders has been suggested but the literature is lacking, particularly at threshold levels. In this short communication, we compared ABR results between males and females with comparable head sizes at supra-threshold and threshold levels. Materials and methods: In this comparative study, of 58 healthy young adults, 30 of them (17 females and 13 males) with comparable head sizes underwent the standard ABR testing. Wave V latencies and ABR thresholds were determined and analyzed accordingly.Results: At the supra-threshold level, significantly shorter wave V latencies were found in females than in males (p = 0.029). This difference was substantive (d = 0.86) and persisted even when the head size was included in the analysis (p = 0.032). In contrast, no significant differences in ABR thresholds were found between genders (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Significant gender differences in ABR results among young adults were only found at the supra-threshold level, which were not related to the head size. Based on the study outcomes, gender-specific normative data for ABR are still beneficial for clinical applications, particularly when recording ABR at high stimulation levels.

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