Vestibular nerve functions in children with auditory neuropathy

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2008 Mar;72(3):415-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2007.11.004. Epub 2007 Dec 21.

Abstract

In disorders affecting the cochlear nerve it is highly probable that the vestibular nerve is involved as well. The caloric test and VEMP (vestibular evoked myogenic potentials) enable a separate evaluation of the inferior and superior vestibular nerve. In the present study we evaluated the inferior and superior vestibular nerves in three children with auditory neuropathy. Electrophysiological tests, VEMP and caloric tests were carried out in these three cases with the preliminary diagnosis of auditory neuropathy. Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained which revealed an intact cochlear nerve in all three patients. The caloric tests were all normal, while in two out of the three cases the VEMP test yielded abnormal results. Since the caloric test may prove abnormal as well, as reported in the literature, it would be valuable to carry out both of the tests in the vestibular evaluation of children with auditory neuropathy, in our opinion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / physiology
  • Hearing Aids
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / diagnosis
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / physiopathology*
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / rehabilitation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / physiology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Vestibular Nerve / physiopathology*