Video Head Impulse Test findings in Patients with Chronic Noise Exposure

Objective: There has been raising evidence that long-term noise exposure above a certain level has a harmful impact on health. It is known that temporary or permanent threshold shifts in hearing exist after loud noise exposure. The vestibular system can also be activated and therefore disturbed the equilibrium mechanism. Consequently, this study aimed to assess the effect of noise on the vestibular system in patients with chronic noise exposure using a video head impulse test (vHIT). Patients and Methods: The present study included 34 subjects. They divided into two groups: the study group consisted of 17 patients with chronic noise exposure and the control group included healthy subjects with normal peripheral hearing sensitivity. Basic audiological evaluation and vHIT were conducted on all subjects in the study. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in vHIT lateral canal gain between the study and control groups. A statistically significant negative correlation between duration of noise exposure and lateral canal gain was also present. In addition, there was a negative correlation between lateral canal gain and pure tone thresholds at 2,3,4,6&8KHz frequencies. Conclusion: vHIT is quick and easily applicable in evaluating the vestibular function in patients with prolonged noise exposure.