Vestibular Dysfunction in Children with Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The cochlea and vestibule are anatomically and functionally related to each other and any dysfunction in each or both of them may result in vestibular functional derangement and subsequent deficit in the function of balance. This is especially true in children where the two systems are still evolving. Vestibular dysfunction has been reported in approximately 20-70 % of children with hearing loss of different causes. This study was aimed to detect and evaluate the prevalence of vestibular dysfunction in children with SNHL. Methods and Materials: Vestibular function assessment was done with monothermal warm air caloric test on 50 children less than 12 years of age with bilateral severe to profound SNHL. Recordings were made using a head band camera on SYNAPSYS Ulmer VNG software. “Monothermal Caloric Asymmetry” (MCA) was depicted in the recording software as unilateral weakness. MCA of >15 % was taken as evidence of canal paresis. Results: The mean age of the children was 5.48 years. Of the 48 children who successfully completed the test, 09 children had vestibular dysfunction indicative of canal paresis. Prevalence was 18.75 % with 95% CI (7.3, 30.2). Correlation between compensated vestibular function results with age and severity of SNHL was not significant. Conclusions: Children with SNHL should be evaluated for occult compensated vestibular dysfunction. It may also be relevant in the context of any further vestibular pathology the child may develop and should be kept in mind when surgical procedures like cochlear implantation are being contemplated.