Vestibular test findings in individuals with auditory neuropathy: review.

BACKGROUND

The vestibulocochlear nerve is a sensory nerve that serves the organs of hearing and equilibrium. Neuropathies of the nerve, particularly auditory neuropathy, may be caused by primary demyelination or axonal disease. Cochlear amplification function is normal in cases of auditory neuropathy, but afferent neural conduction in the auditory pathway is disordered. It is highly probable that the vestibular nerve has some involvement in disorders affecting the cochlear nerve.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of vestibular test findings in individuals with auditory neuropathy.

METHOD

A structured literature search was carried out, with no restrictions to the dates searched.

CONCLUSION

Auditory neuropathy implicated the vestibular branch of the VIIIth cranial nerve as well as the cochlear nerve. However, there was variability in terms of vestibular test findings.