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

Abstract

Objective: The 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 methods: The 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. Results: As 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. Conclusion: Noise can cause more damage to the vestibular system, especially the sacculocollic pathway.