Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and caloric test results in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders

Abstract

Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder is a type of hearing loss where outer hair cell function are normal (as evidenced by the preservation of OAEs and cochlear microphonics), whereas auditory nerve functions are abnormal (as evidenced by abnormal auditory brainstem evoked potentials beginning with wave I of the ABR) and acoustic reflexes to ipsilateral and contralateral tones are absent [32]. It is likely that in cases with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder not only the cochlear nerve, but also the vestibular nerves might get involved. The present study was conducted with an aim of finding out the inferior and superior vestibular nerve involvement through cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and Caloric test results respectively in individuals with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorders. Total 26 participants who fulfilled the criteria of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder participated for the study. Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials results showed absence of responses from most of the subjects also caloric responses showed bilateral hypofunctional responses in most of the participants, which is suggestive of involvement of both the inferior as well as superior vestibular nerve in individuals with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders. Additionally there was no association between the pattern and degree of hearing loss to caloric test results and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials results findings.

Evaluation of Dizziness Handicap in Adolescents and Adults with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder

“…Previous studies have reported substantial vestibular nerve damage in individuals with ANSD. 12 13 15 The abnormal results on the cervical VEMP suggests a sacculo-collic pathway dysfunction affecting the inferior vestibular nerve. 12 In addition, the ocular VEMP is also affected, which is suggestive of abnormal superior vestibular nerve functioning.…”

“…The previous studies have reported vestibular nerve involvement in individuals with ANSD. 12 13 14 15 Despite this, audiological rehabilitation has always been the primary focus in individuals with this disease. Thus, the present study recommends the assessment of the real life handicap experienced because of vestibular problems in individuals with ANSD.…”

“…The involvement of the vestibular branch in ANSD is extensively reported in the literature. 12 13 14 15 Sazgar et al 15 reported that isolated auditory neuropathy or vestibular neuropathy are rare and the most common pathology is “audio-vestibular neuropathy,” affecting both branches of the eighth cranial nerve. Sinha, Shankar and Raja 14 reported that cervical and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) were abnormal in individuals with ANSD.…”

“…Sinha, Shankar and Raja 14 reported that cervical and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) were abnormal in individuals with ANSD. Sinha et al 13 showed that VEMPs were absent, and caloric tests showed hypofunctional responses in individuals with ANSD. This suggested the involvement of both the inferior and superior vestibular nerves in such individuals.…”

Exploring the Relationship between Masseter and Cervical Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Young Adults with Hearing Thresholds Less Than or Equal to 15 dB HL

“…(Adamec et al 9 ), benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (Singh & Apeksha 10 ), auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (Sujeet et al 11 ) and superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome (Janky et al 12 ). Similar to cVEMPs, VEMPs are also elicited at the level of the masseter muscle, also known as masseter VEMPs (mVEMPs).…”