Determination of normal video head impulse test gain values in different age groups

Abstract

Objective: The vestibulo ocular reflex evaluation is very important because of the valuable information it gives in the evaluation of vertigo. Video head impulse tests (vHIT) are widely used to evaluate the vestibulo ocular reflex. vHIT can be used both in childhood and in adults. Therefore, normal gain value ranges have to be determined for all age groups. Material and Methods: Healthy relatives of patients were selected as volunteers. vHIT was performed on all participants by the same experienced right-handed audiologist. An Otometrics ICS Impulse system was used to record measurements. The volunteers were divided into eight groups according to their age; Group 1: 12-20 years, Group 2: 21-30 years, Group 3: 31-40 years, Group 4: 41-50 years, Group 5: 51-60 years, Group 6: 61-70 years, Group 7: 71-80 years, and Group 8: 81-88 years. Gain values were determined for each participant. Differences between groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: One hundred twenty-nine healthy participants were included in the study. The mean age was 44.30±21.14 (range, 12-88) years, there were 62 (48.1%) males and 67 (51.9%) females. The mean values for the right anterior, left anterior, right lateral, left lateral, right posterior, and left posterior canals were 0.90±0.11, 0.88±0.09, 0.97±0.11, 0.87±0.10, 0.90±0.11, and 0.89±0.10, respectively. There were no statitistical sig-nificant differences in gain values between the age groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: vHIT can be used in nearly all age groups, and gain values are in the same normal ranges in almost all age groups.