Audiological profile and handicap levels in people with vestibular disorders at Centro Equilibra, Vértigo and Equilibrio, San José, Costa Rica

Abstract

Background and objectiveVestibular disorders are linked to a group of pathologies that can affect the vestibular part, the auditory part, or both parts of the inner ear. The problem in this study is the little information that exists about the audiological profile of people suffering from vestibular disorders in Costa Rica. There are international research studies on this topic, but there are no records of studies conducted in the Costa Rican population. This is why there is interest in developing this research which aims to characterize the audiological profile and the levels of handicap in people with vestibular disorders under Centro Equilibra, Vertigo and Equilibrio consultation during the months of September to November 2019. Patients and methodsA descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative, and observational analytical study with patients over 18 years old who attended Centro Equilibra. The main variables analysed were sex, age, personal pathological history, medical diagnosis, main vestibular symptoms, auditory manifestations, and levels of handicap. ResultsThe data was obtained from 177 people; vestibular disorders occurred more in the female sex (ratio 2.6:1). The mean age was 56 years. Fifty-three point seven percent presented slight sensorineural hearing loss, gradually decreasing. Of the population, 33.9% presented tinnitus, mostly at high frequencies. In the adult population, 52% presented some level of hearing handicap, unlike older adults, where the majority (77%) did not present any level of handicap. People with vestibular disorders perceive greater physical handicap (83%). ConclusionsHearing loss was the most common hearing manifestation and although statistical analysis shows that it is not directly related to vestibular disorders, it is related to concomitant metabolic diseases. For this reason, it is necessary to promote the prevention of metabolic diseases as one of the measures to improve hearing health, even from an early age.