Assessment the effect of noise on the sacculocolic pathway using vestibular evoked myogenic potential

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to detect the effect of noise on the sacculocollic pathway using cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (c-VEMP) and to check the correlation between the hearing thresholds and the c-VEMP responses in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) patients.Patients and methodsThe study included 40 (80 ears) participants. Their ages ranged between 30 and 45 years. They were divided into two groups: 20 (40 ears) participants with NIHL presenting with bilateral notched audiogram at 4kHz, and 20 (40 ears) participants as a control group. All participants in the study were subjected to basic audiological evaluation and VEMP tests.ResultsAs the average pure-tone hearing threshold increased, the c-VEMP latencies prolonged and peak-to-peak amplitude reduced in NIHL patients. Of the 40 ears, c-VEMP was absent in 12 (30%) ears. The latencies prolonged and the peak-to-peak amplitude reduced in 16 (40%) ears. VEMP results were normal in 12 (30%) ears.ConclusionNoise can cause more damage to the vestibular system, especially the sacculocollic pathway.