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

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.