LAUSR

Abstract Background At present, there is no consensus on the optimal methods for the diagnosis of vestibular dysfunction. Objective To explore the advantages of bone-conducted vibration (BCV) related vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs). Material and methods Fifty patients with otitis media volunteered for VEMP examination. They were randomly selected with air-conducted sound and BCV stimulation VEMPs assessed in both ears. Results The provocation rate of BCV-VEMPs was significantly higher than that of air-conducted sound VEMPs. Among 50 affected ears, there was no significant difference in the provocation rate of BCV-VEMPs between patients with air–bone conduction gaps lower or higher than 20 dB. There was no significant difference in the provocation rate of BCV-VEMPs between both ears in 30 patients with unilateral otitis media and the comparison of BCV-oVEMP parameters made no significant difference in amplitude, N1 latency, P1 latency, or N1–P1 duration, except for the threshold. A comparison of BCV-cVEMP parameters between affected and healthy ears revealed no significant difference between groups in terms of threshold, amplitude, N1 latency, P1 latency, or n1–p1 duration. Conclusions and significance BCV-VEMPs may be stably induced in patients with conductive hearing loss.