Vestibular function analyzed by a video head impulse test in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss associated with vertigo

The vestibular-organ site that is responsible for vertigo-associated idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) has not been identified clearly. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To analyze the function of each semicircular canal (SCC) separately in patients with vertigo-associated ISSNHL. PATIENTS/

vHIT may help clinicians identify which vestibular (balance) organ is affected in sudden hearing loss with vertigo, potentially guiding prognosis and treatment targeting — but the cross-sectional, likely small-sample design warrants caution before changing diagnostic protocols.

Clarifying the site of vestibular lesion in sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo could improve prognostic accuracy and open pathways to more targeted therapeutic approaches.

1. 01vHIT (video head impulse test) was used to map vestibular (inner-ear balance) dysfunction in sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo.
2. 02The study aimed to identify which specific vestibular organ (e.g., semicircular canals) was responsible.
3. 03Published in Acta Otolaryngologica, a peer-reviewed ENT journal.
4. 04Sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo carries a worse prognosis than sudden hearing loss alone.
5. 05Findings may have implications for diagnostic work-up and individualized management of these patients.

PMID

42423365

DOI

10.1080/00016489.2026.2688395.

Journal

Acta Otolaryngologica

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (sudden unexplained one-ear hearing loss) associated with vertigo

Intervention

Video head impulse test (vHIT) for vestibular function analysis