Effect of Cochlear Implantation on Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials and Wideband Acoustic Immittance

Conclusions: Bone conduction VEMP response rates were increased compared with air-conduction VEMP response rates in ears with cochlear implants. Ears with cochlear implants also demonstrate changes in low-frequency absorbance consistent with a stiffer system. This effect was largest for ears that had absent air conduction but present bone conduction VEMPs. These findings suggest that this group, in particular, has a mechanical change that could lead to an air-bone gap, thus, abolishing the air conduction VEMP response due to an alteration in mechanics and not a true vestibular loss. Clinical considerations include using bone conduction vibration VEMPs and WAI for preoperative and postoperative testing in patients undergoing cochlear implantation.
Source: Ear and Hearing - Category: Audiology Tags: Research Article Source Type: research