This study assessed the audio-vestibular function and symptoms in patients diagnosed with Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB).
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists should be aware that Lyme neuroborreliosis can involve the inner ear; consider audio-vestibular assessment in patients with confirmed Lyme neuroborreliosis who report hearing or balance symptoms, pending broader replication of these findings.
Inner ear involvement in Lyme neuroborreliosis is poorly characterised, and this prospective data may help audiologists and neurologists better identify and monitor an underrecognised cause of audio-vestibular dysfunction.
- 01Prospective design allows temporal tracking of audio-vestibular symptoms alongside Lyme neuroborreliosis diagnosis.
- 02Study focuses on inner ear involvement — a relatively overlooked complication of Lyme disease.
- 03Both hearing and vestibular (balance) function were assessed, offering a comprehensive picture.
- 04Findings could inform referral pathways between neurology, infectious disease, and audiology.
- 05Published in a peer-reviewed otolaryngology journal (IAO, 2025).
Lyme neuroborreliosis can affect audio-vestibular function via inner ear involvement.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42378535
- DOI
- 10.5152/iao.2025.251982.
- Journal
- Journal of the International Advanced Otology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Patients diagnosed with Lyme neuroborreliosis
- Intervention
- Audio-vestibular function testing in Lyme neuroborreliosis patients
Primary outcomes
Audio-vestibular function outcomes; Prevalence and type of inner ear involvement