Vestibular end-organ dysfunction in children with sensorineural hearing loss and cochlear implants: an expanded cohort and etiologic assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Similarities between the peripheral auditory and vestibular systems suggest that children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) may demonstrate associated vestibular impairments. The current study examines vestibular function in a previously reported cohort (n = 40) augmented by 113 children with profound SNHL.

METHODS: The current study is prospective and cross-sectional with repeated measures. Horizontal canal function was assessed in response to caloric and rotational stimuli. Saccular function was examined using vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP). One hundred fifty-three children were tested; 119 had unilateral cochlear implants (CIs) at time of testing, and 34 were evaluated before CI.

RESULTS: Horizontal semicircular canal function was abnormal in response to caloric stimuli in 50% (69/139), with a proportion (18/69, 26%) reflecting mild to moderate unilateral abnormalities. Severe hypofunction or areflexia occurred in 37% (51/139). Horizontal semicircular canal function in response to rotation was abnormal in 47% (64/139). Bilateral reduction in VOR gain was seen across frequencies in 29% (40/139) and 13% (18/139) demonstrated isolated high-frequency (≥ 2 Hz) loss. Saccular function was absent bilaterally in 21% (32/135) and unilaterally in 30% (40/135). All children with meningitis (n = 11) and 46% with radiologic cochleovestibular anomalies (n = 31) had horizontal canal dysfunction, whereas 45% and 46%, respectively, displayed saccular dysfunction. Unilateral dysfunction of the horizontal canal or the saccule was equally distributed between the implanted and nonimplanted ear (14:9 and 22:18, respectively), and the differences in proportions were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: Vestibular end organ dysfunction occurred in half of all children with profound SNHL. Approximately one-third of the subjects displayed severe abnormalities(bilateral and/or severe loss). The likelihood of vestibular end-organ dysfunction is highly dependent on etiology, with meningitis and cochleovestibular anomalies having the highest rates of severe dysfunction.