Although the effects of the auditory system on the balance system are known, we do not possess sufficient knowledge about the possible effects of the balance system on the auditory system. This study aims to investigate the impact of bithermal caloric stimulation on the outer hair cell functions of the contralateral ear.

Findings may warrant caution when scheduling caloric vestibular testing and DPOAE testing in the same session, but clinical protocol changes should await replication and review of the full study.

If caloric vestibular stimulation reliably alters DPOAE responses, it would have implications for test sequencing and result interpretation in vestibular-audiology combined evaluations.

1. 01Study published in American Journal of Audiology (DOI: 10.1044/2026_AJA-25-00234).
2. 02Examines the effect of caloric vestibular stimulation — a standard balance test — on DPOAE (inner-ear hair cell) responses.
3. 03Investigates potential interaction between the vestibular (balance) and cochlear (hearing) systems.
4. 04Findings could affect how clinicians sequence audiological and vestibular tests.
5. 05Full sample size and design details not provided in the abstract/description.

PMID

42126321

DOI

10.1044/2026_AJA-25-00234.

Journal

American Journal of Audiology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Participants undergoing caloric vestibular testing (population details not specified in available description)

Intervention

Caloric vestibular stimulation