Otolaryngology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder describes a condition in which a patient’s otoacoustic emissions (OAE) are (or were at one time) present, and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) are abnormal or absent. In some instances, ANSD is identified on the basis of present cochlear microphonics (CM) and abnormal or absent ABRs with or without abnormalities of OAEs. The vestibulocochlear nerve is a sensory nerve that serves the organs of hearing and equilibrium. In disorders affecting the cochlear nerve, it is probable that the vestibular nerve is involved as well. But the association of vestibular neuropathies in patients with ANSD is not well known as vestibular testing is not routinely done on patients who do not complain of vestibular problems. So the objective of our study was to describe the vesibular profile in ANSD where 25 patients aged between 18 yrs-65 yrs were studied. In this presentation we show how patients not presenting with balance disorders had abnormal vestibular function tests. We also talk about the effect of Age, Gender, Birth history, Co-morbidities on ANSD. The study also revealed that there may be no correlation between degree of hearing loss and vestibular functions. This study shows that awareness of the presence of vestibular dysfunctions in patients with ANSD may allow therapeutic approaches directed at the vestibular disorders that would improve gait and balance.

Biography

Dr.Tejaswini Patel is an ENT surgeon who has done a fellowship in Audio-vestibular medicine and is very passationately pursuing neurotology. She has given talks on Neurotology in various National and International forums. She is currently working as a consultant Neurotologist at Narayana Health City, Bangalore, India

E-mail: drtejaswinipatel@gmail.com