Cognitive performance, dizziness and tinnitus among adults with unilateral audiovestibular disorders

To investigate cognitive performance in patients with unilateral audiovestibular disorders, specifically hearing loss (UHL), vestibular hypofunction (UVH), and Meniere's Disease (MD) using a visually administered, computerized domain-specific cognitive battery. MATERIALS/

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

Audiologists treating patients with unilateral audiovestibular disorders should consider screening for cognitive difficulties, as cognitive impairment may co-occur with dizziness and tinnitus in this population, though the cross-sectional design prevents causal conclusions.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

This study adds to evidence that audiovestibular disorders extend beyond the ear to affect cognition, supporting more holistic patient assessment that includes cognitive screening in unilateral vestibular and hearing loss populations.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Cross-sectional study in adults with unilateral hearing loss, vestibular hypofunction, or Menière's disease.
02Cognitive performance assessed alongside dizziness and tinnitus symptom burden.
03Patients with unilateral audiovestibular disorders showed notable cognitive performance differences.
04Tinnitus and dizziness severity may contribute to or reflect cognitive load and processing difficulties.
05Cross-sectional design means direction of causality between audiovestibular dysfunction and cognition is unknown.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Adults with unilateral audiovestibular disorders show reduced cognitive performance compared to normative expectations.

studypartially supported

Dizziness and tinnitus co-occur with cognitive difficulties in patients with unilateral audiovestibular disorders.

studypartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42676366
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2026.1911120.
Journal: Frontiers in Neurology
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 3
Population: Adults with unilateral audiovestibular disorders (unilateral hearing loss, vestibular hypofunction, Menière's disease)
Intervention: Assessment of cognitive performance, dizziness, and tinnitus in unilateral audiovestibular disorder patients
Comparator: Normative data or control group (details not specified)

Primary outcomes

Cognitive performance scores; Dizziness severity; Tinnitus presence and severity

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