Evaluation of electronystagmographic outcome in patients with sensorineural hearing loss according to type of audiogram
Abstract
A near location of anatomical structures in an inner ear and a possibility of impairment caused by the same ethiopathogenic factors implies that sensorineural hearing loss may be accompanied by vertigo or dizziness. The aim of the study was to determine an occurence of vestibular system dysfunction in patients with sensorineural hearing loss in relation to the frequencies of hearing loss.
Material and method. The study was conducted on 98 patients diagnosed for sensorineural hearing loss in ENT Department Medical University of Lodz. during one year. In all of them clinical neurootological, audiological examination (pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, ABR) and ENG examination (visual ocular-motor, positional, kinetic and caloric tests) were performed. We compared types of audiogram and ENG outcome.
Results. Unilateral hearing loss was noted in 66 patients and symmetrical bilateral hearing loss in 32 patients. According to type of audiogram several patterns of hearing loss were observed: in low and mid frequencies – 13,3%, in mid and high frequencies – 14,3%, in high frequencies – 19,4%, in all frequencies – 34,7%, residual hearing/deafness. – in 14,3% of patients. The normal ENG was recorded in 30,6%, vestibular impairment of peripheral type – in 19,4%, mixed type – in 16,3% and central type – in 33,7% of patients. No correlation was found between configuration of audiogram and vestibular impairment, despite the group of patients with residual hearing/deafness, in which peripheral vestibular loss was more frequently.observed.