This study aimed to assess postural stability and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and to elucidate how vestibular involvement varies according to otoscopic findings and demographic characteristics.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists and ENT clinicians should consider routine vestibular screening in CSOM patients, as perforation size may predict subclinical mediolateral balance impairment even without reported vestibular symptoms.
Vestibular involvement in CSOM is often overlooked clinically; identifying a link between perforation size and postural sway could prompt earlier balance assessment and referral in this population.
- 01Postural stability and vestibulo-ocular reflex were assessed in CSOM patients.
- 02Larger tympanic membrane perforations correlated with greater mediolateral postural sway.
- 03Vestibular dysfunction may be subclinical — present without patient-reported dizziness.
- 04Published in the American Journal of Audiology (AJA).
- 05Findings suggest perforation size could serve as a screening indicator for vestibular involvement.
Tympanic membrane perforation size in CSOM is associated with mediolateral postural sway.
studypartially supportedCSOM patients exhibit subclinical vestibular involvement detectable via postural stability testing.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42301018
- DOI
- 10.1044/2026_AJA-26-00011.
- Journal
- American Journal of Audiology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 4
- Population
- Patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) of unspecified age range
- Intervention
- Assessment of postural stability and vestibulo-ocular reflex function
Primary outcomes
Mediolateral postural sway; Vestibulo-ocular reflex function; Relationship between tympanic membrane perforation size and balance measures