Audiovestibular findings in patients with vestibular neuritis: a long-term follow-up study.

During the years 1980-1981, 19 patients with a mean age of 39 years, given the diagnosis vestibular neuritis were subjected to a caloric bithermal test, a pure tone audiogram and stapedius reflex measurements within 1 week, 3 weeks, 9 weeks and 1 year after the onset of symptoms, respectively. In a majority of the patients the feeling of dysequilibrium and vertigo diminished within the first 3 weeks and the difference in caloric reaction between the two sides also diminished during this period. In 9 of the patients, a uni- or bilaterally elevated stapedius reflex threshold was found. The return of the caloric response was somewhat slower in this group of patients.