Vestibular Functional Patterns in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis.
Ear HearApr 23, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchOtolaryngology (ENT)
António Andrade, Francisca Ferreira, Maria Marques Silva et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review analyzed vestibular dysfunction patterns in 464 cases of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). It found that 72.4% of patients exhibited vestibular dysfunction, with the most common patterns being cochlear-only (27.6%) and combinations involving the posterior semicircular canal, saccule, and utricle. Statistical significance was noted in these patterns.
Key findings
- Vestibular dysfunction was present in 72.4% of SSNHL cases.
- The most common pattern was cochlear-only dysfunction at 27.6%.
- Cochlear plus posterior semicircular canal dysfunction occurred in 8.2% of cases.
- Dysfunction involving all vestibular organs was observed in 5.4% of cases.
Why it matters
Understanding the prevalence and patterns of vestibular dysfunction in SSNHL can aid clinicians in diagnosing and managing patients more effectively, potentially guiding treatment strategies based on vascular etiology.