Comparison of electrode montages for ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (oVEMP) using air-conducted tone burst stimulation: Is there an optimal configuration?

To compare three electrode montages - infraorbital (standard), chin and belly-tendon - for ocular Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (oVEMP), using air-conducted 500 Hz tone burst stimulation in health adults.

Continue reading at PubMed →

If the study identifies a clearly superior montage, clinicians performing oVEMP testing should consider adopting that configuration to standardise results — but the specific findings should be reviewed before changing lab protocols.

Standardising oVEMP electrode placement could reduce variability across clinics, improving the reliability of vestibular function assessments used in diagnosing inner ear and balance disorders.

1. 01Three electrode montages tested: infraorbital, chin, and belly-tendon references.
2. 02Air-conducted tone burst stimulation used — a common, non-invasive oVEMP stimulus type.
3. 03Study aims to resolve ongoing lack of consensus on optimal oVEMP electrode configuration.
4. 04oVEMP assesses utricular and superior vestibular nerve function, critical for balance disorder diagnosis.
5. 05Findings could inform standardised clinical protocols for vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing.

PMID

42800366

DOI

10.1016/j.bjorl.2026.101912.

Journal

Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

2b

Population

Participants undergoing oVEMP testing (likely adults with normal or impaired vestibular function — specific demographics not stated in abstract)

Intervention

Three oVEMP electrode montages: infraorbital, chin reference, and belly-tendon reference

Comparator

Each montage compared against the other two