The advantages of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials induced by bone-conducted vibration in patients with otitis media

Abstract

Background At present, there is no consensus on the optimal methods for the diagnosis of vestibular dysfunction. Objective To explore the advantages of bone-conducted vibration (BCV) related vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs). Material and methods Fifty patients with otitis media volunteered for VEMP examination. They were randomly selected with air-conducted sound and BCV stimulation VEMPs assessed in both ears. Results The provocation rate of BCV-VEMPs was significantly higher than that of air-conducted sound VEMPs. Among 50 affected ears, there was no significant difference in the provocation rate of BCV-VEMPs between patients with air–bone conduction gaps lower or higher than 20 dB. There was no significant difference in the provocation rate of BCV-VEMPs between both ears in 30 patients with unilateral otitis media and the comparison of BCV-oVEMP parameters made no significant difference in amplitude, N1 latency, P1 latency, or N1–P1 duration, except for the threshold. A comparison of BCV-cVEMP parameters between affected and healthy ears revealed no significant difference between groups in terms of threshold, amplitude, N1 latency, P1 latency, or n1–p1 duration. Conclusions and significance BCV-VEMPs may be stably induced in patients with conductive hearing loss.