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Background/Objectives: Instability is one of the main symptoms in patients with vestibular and neurological disorders and therapeutic exercise interventions are increasing in popularity as a form of treatment. Additionally, the limits of stability measurement are known to be a good tool for balance evaluation and monitoring of these interventions. The aim of this work is to better understand how a specific protocol provokes changes on this variable and to study the characteristics of those who do and do not respond to it. Methods: A retrospective study was developed with the data of 40 patients treated in the Otorhinolaryngology department in Clínica Universidad de Navarra (Madrid, Spain). They had an initial reduction in limits of stability, completed the proposed protocol with home-based and hospital-based exercises and with frequent limits of stability remeasurement, and were assisted to a follow-up retest after 1-2 months. Results: A progressive improvement in limits of stability measure was developed through the intervention and was partially retained at follow-up visit. Several differences were found between those patients who improved with the treatment (responders) and those who did not improve (non-responders). More specifically an initial measure of the limits of stability was able to differentiate those groups with a cut-off data of 56 cm2. Conclusions: The proposed protocol was able to induce motor learning in patients included in this study with good retention after 1-2 months. Furthermore, there is some variability in how patients respond to the treatment. Age and diagnosis should be considered and an interesting cut-off data for clinal decision making was found.

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BACKGROUND: Audiovestibular disorders in childhood occur with considerable frequency. However, the difficulty of obtaining medical history, the nonspecificity of symptoms, and the lack of cooperation during complementary tests often contribute significantly to diagnostic biases, attributing clinical presentations to psychosomatic disorders. The objectives of this work are, firstly, to characterize, from an auditory and vestibular perspective, the most frequent causes of vertigo in childhood and a possible relationship with emotional symptoms. On the other hand, to propose the usefulness of the MSSQ-Short questionnaire as a predictive variable in the evolution of children diagnosed with recurrent vertigo of childhood (RVC). METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was designed with retrospective data collection at three tertiary hospitals. RESULTS: Among the 117 patients recruited between 2016 and 2024, 32 patients (27.35%) were diagnosed with an anxious-depressive syndrome prior to audiovestibular testing. The mean age was 11.19 ± 5.61 years and the most frequent final diagnoses were vestibular migraine (VM) with 41.03% and RVC with 23.93%. Patients with VM, compared with RVC, are approximately 1.12 times more likely to have psychosomatic pathology (CI 0.39 to 3.25). The most sensitive and frequently altered test was VEMPS (39.32%), with statistical significance in VM and otic capsule dehiscence, while regarding the MSSQ-Short questionnaire, the linear regression of 0.28 indicates an increase in clinical duration with high questionnaire scores. CONCLUSIONS: Vestibular disorders causing dizziness and vertigo are challenging to diagnose, often due to lack of cooperation and/or symptom nonspecificity. A thorough medical history and complementary tests, including audiovestibular and imaging studies, are advisable, thus avoiding systematically attributing children's complaints to other psychosomatic disorders.

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The aim of this study is to calculate the gains of the quantified visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (qVVOR) and the quantified vestibulo-ocular reflex suppression (qVORS), using a specific system to generate a visual suppression index (SI) in healthy subjects obtained through the gains of qVVOR and qVORS, and to determine the normal values of the index, as well as the influence of age and sex variables on the SI. METHODS: This prospective observational clinical study includes 83 healthy subjects who underwent the head impulse and suppression tests (HIMP and SHIMP, respectively), qVVOR, and qVORS tests, all of the vHIT. The sinusoidal tests (qVVOR and qVORS) were conducted at an intended frequency of 0.75 Hz. The gains of these tests were calculated using a system specifically designed for this purpose. A formula for the SI was established using a ratio of the gains from these tests. Two SI values are presented: unilateral, distinct for each direction of head movement, and bilateral, representing the suppression of both sides simultaneously. RESULTS: Mean gains for the qVVORs were 0.981 ± 0.070 and 0.978 ± 0.077 for the rightwards and leftwards qVVORs, respectively. The gains for the suppressed tests were 0.334 ± 0.112 and 0.353 ± 0.110 for the rightwards and leftwards qVORSs, respectively. A difference of 0.05 Hz was observed between the expected (0.75 Hz) and the obtained frequency of head movement, which is statistically significant (p < 0.001). The SI was 0.342 ± 0.118 for the right side (right SI) and 0.363 ± 0.117 for the left side (left SI). The bilateral SI had a mean value of 0.295 ± 0.104. No significant differences in the SI were noted according to the subject's age. The SI for women was lower than in the case of males. CONCLUSIONS: The VVOR/VORS quantification algorithm allows for the reliable calculation of the numerical gain of qVVOR and qVORS with mathematical soundness and consistency of results. Our data support the use of a single or specific measure for direction of head movement; although significant differences exist, these differences are not clinically relevant.

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Background: Meniere disease, characterized by intermittent episodes of vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural pressure, is a common cause of vertigo in humans. The pathogenesis of Meniere disease remains unknown. The current study aimed to describe a novel pathological change discovered in the inner ears of patients with Meniere disease who underwent labyrinthectomy. Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted with 21 patients with MD who underwent labyrinthectomy. A total of 15 patients diagnosed with acoustic neuroma or glomus jugular tumor were review over the same period of time as control. The clinical information of the patients and the pathological features of the membrane are described. Results: The new pathological tissue was a morbid membrane structure sealing the round window, characterized by the formation of lymphatic capillaries. Histochemical and immunofluorescent staining was positive for D2-40, LYVE-1, podoplanin, and PROX1, which are the classical markers of the lymphatic vessels. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the lymph capillaries lacked a typical basement membrane and that their ends were blind, composed of a single layer of endothelial cells with valval connection structures between adjacent capillary epithelial cells. Conclusion: This is the first report of lymphatic vessels in the human inner ear, and this pathological structure is a completely new discovery. The lymphatic vessels may develop due to inflammation or decompensation of pressure in the inner ear, suggesting that the inner ear can reactively form lymphatic vessels in some inflammation and fluid flow-dependent pathological conditions. The current findings help in improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of Meniere disease.

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Nystagmus induced by applying an intense vibratory stimulus to the skull (SVIN) indicates vestibular functional asymmetry. In unilateral vestibular loss, a 100 Hz bone-conducted vibration given to either mastoid immediately causes a primarily horizontal nystagmus. The test is performed in darkness to avoid visual fixation (VF) but there are no data about how much VF affects the often-intense SVIN. The aim is to analyze the amount of reduction in SVIN when VF is allowed during testing. Thus, all patients seen in a tertiary hospital for vertigo or dizziness with positive SVIN were included. SVIN was recorded for 10 s for each condition: without VF (aSVINwo) and with VF (aSVINw). We obtained an aSVINwo and an aSVINw as average slow-phase velocities (SPV) without and with VF. VF index (FISVIN) was calculated as the ratio of SPV. Among the 124 patients included, spontaneous nystagmus (SN) was found in 25% and the median slow phase velocity (mSPV) (without VF) of SN was 2.6 ± 2.4°/s. Mean FISVIN was 0.27 ± 0.29. FISVIN was 0 in 42 patients, and FISVIN between 0 and 1 was found in 82 (mean FISVIN 0.39 ± 0.02). Fixation suppression was found in all patients with SVIN in cases of peripheral vestibulopathy. FISVIN clearly delineates two populations of patients: with or without a complete visual reduction in nystagmus.

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Introduction: Cochlear implantation is currently regarded as a safe and minimally invasive procedure. However, cochlear implantation can have an impact on vestibular function, despite the lack of correlation between patient symptomatology and damage in vestibular tests. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the presence of hydrops and histological reactions at the level of the vestibule after cochlear implantation with dexamethasone pump delivery in Macaca fascicularis (Mf). Materials and methods: A detailed histological study was conducted on a total of 11 Mf. All 11 Mf were divided into three groups: 5 Mf were implanted with an electrode array HL-14 connected to a pump delivering FITC-dextran for 24 h (Group A); 4 Mf were implanted with a CI electrode array attached to a pump for FITC-dextran delivery for 7 days (Group B); and 2 Mf were considered the control group, without any kind of cochlear device implantation (Group C). After drug deliver, the selected macaques were euthanized to collect tissue samples for histological analysis. An experienced observer, focusing on the utricle and saccule areas, conducted a blinded inner ear histology analysis. Results: Surgical procedures were successfully performed in all cases. No signs of cochlear reaction to the device were observed, including neither collapse nor fibrosis. Endolymphatic sinus dilatation was observed in Mf4A and Mf3B, while cochlear hydrops was observed in Mf3A. The mean areas of the utricle and saccule exhibited some statistically significant differences, specifically, in the saccule between groups C and both groups A (p = 0.028) and B (p = 0.029); however, no significant differences were observed between groups A and B or among comparisons of the utricle. Discussion: A significant concern relates to the safety of cochlear implantation with regard to vestibular preservation and hearing. New advancements in electrode arrays, such as CI devices coupled with delivery pumps, pose a challenge in maintaining minimally traumatic surgical concept-based procedures without affecting the inner ear homeostasis. The implantation of this device may cause vestibular hydrops in the saccule, indicating that the longer the time of substance release, the greater the grade of hydrops evidenced at the saccular level. Apart from this finding, the risk of histological damage to the vestibule is low.

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Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo. It is characterized by short and recurrent episodes of vertigo, trigged by specific head movements that displace otoconia within the semicircular canals. The movement of dislodge otoconia from the utricle cause abnormal positional endolymphatic currents. Primary treatment involves reposition maneuvers aimed at moving the displaced otoconia out the affected canal, therefore correct identification of the affected canal is essential for the diagnosis. The posterior semicircular canal (PSC) is the most frequently affected due to its spatial orientation and the force of gravity. Recent technological advances have allowed for better assessment of positional nystagmus during diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers, revealing various possible scenarios of PSC involvement. Regarding the PSC, otoconia may be found in different parts of the canal, and not just in the expected location, floating in the long arm of the canal. The understanding of these variants is crucial, as the prognosis and the disease progression differ in such cases. This review aims to describe the six possible variants of PSC involvement described so far.

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BACKGROUND: Inner ear hemorrhage (IEH) is an increasingly recognized cochlear lesion that can cause sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is known to be the best imaging modality for clarifying the causes of SNHL and providing images that point to those causes. AIMS: Evaluate the lesional patterns in patients with presumed Inner ear hemorrhage (IEH) from radiological and functional aspects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 10 patients performed in our institution from 2014 to 2020, with suspected labyrinthine hemorrhage based on radiological and functional examination. RESULTS: We included 8 patients with IEH and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The median age was 55 years (range: 3 months - 78 years). The results from the MRI and functional tests were compared for each end-organ. Only three cases (37.5%) showed a correlation between signal abnormalities and dysfunction in the labyrinthine apparatus. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SNHL inner ear hemorrhage needs to be ruled out in the differential diagnosis, so specific MRI sequences should be requested. It represents a way to a better understanding of the disorder and the variety of findings claim for a complete auditory and vestibular testing.

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BACKGROUND: The 3D-REAL-IR MRI sequence allows for an in vivo visualization of endolymphatic hydrops. Qualitative assessment methods of the severity of vestibular and cochlear hydrops are the most commonly used. METHODS: A quantitative volumetric measurement of vestibular EH in patients with definite unilateral Ménière's disease using the 3D-REAL-IR sequence and the calculation of the endolymphatic ratio (ELR) was intended. RESULTS: Volumetric calculations of the vestibules, vestibular endolymph and vestibular ELR are performed in 96 patients with unilateral Ménière's disease and correlated with classic qualitative grading scales. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative volumetric measurement of vestibular hydrops using the 3D-REAL-IR sequence is feasible and reproducible in daily clinical practice. Vestibular ELR values exceeding 60% defined radiologically significant vestibular hydrops, while values below 30% defined radiologically non-significant vestibular hydrops.

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Vestibular medicine "embraces a wide approach to the potential causes of vestibular symptoms, acknowledging that vertigo, dizziness, and unsteadiness are non-specific symptoms that may arise from a broad spectrum of disorders, spanning from the inner ear to the brainstem, cerebellum and supratentorial cerebral networks, to many disorders beyond these structures" [...].

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BACKGROUND: Rafael Lorente de Nó was a neuroscientist that worked alongside two of the giants of Medicine, the Nobel Prize winners Cajal and Bárány. OBJECTIVE: To describe the contributions of Lorente de Nó to vestibular neuroscience. METHODS: Detailed review of the publications of Lorente de Nó and analysis of the archives from Junta para Ampliación de Estudios e Investigaciones Científicas at Residencia de Estudiantes (Madrid, Spain), Casa de Salud Valdecilla at Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla (Santander, Spain), Becker Medical Library at Washington University (St. Louis, MO, USA), Rockefeller Archive Center (Sleepy Hollow, New York, NY, USA), Archivo Fernando de Castro (Madrid, Spain), Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain) and Legado Cajal at Instituto Cajal (Madrid, Spain). Most of this material is unpublished and includes over a hundred letters to or from Lorente. RESULTS: Lorente de Nó made a substantial contribution to our understanding of the vestibular system. Amongst these, he meticulously detailed the course of the vestibular nerve and its central projections. He described the vestibulo-ocular reflex as the consequence of an integration of the various nuclei and connections across the vestibular system, rather than a simple three-neuron arc. He also highlighted the role of the reticular formation in the generation of the fast phase of the nystagmus. CONCLUSIONS: Lorente de Nó was a pioneer of modern neuro-otology, having made outstanding contributions to vestibular neuroscience, forging novel discoveries that still burn true today.

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Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and bilateral vestibulopathy (BVL) are two completely different forms of vestibular disorder that occasionally occur in the same patient. We conducted a retrospective review searching for that coincidence in our database of the patients seen over a 15-year period and found this disorder in 23 patients, that is 0.4%. More frequently they occurred sequentially (10/23) and BPPV was diagnosed first. Simultaneous presentation occurred in 9/23 patients. It was subsequently studied, but in a prospective manner, in patients with BPPV on all of whom a video head impulse test was performed to search for bilateral vestibular loss; we found it was slightly more frequent (6/405). Both disorders were treated accordingly, and it was found that the results follow the general trend in patients with only one of those disorders.

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Cochlear implantation surgery (CI) is considered a safe procedure and is the standard treatment for the auditory rehabilitation in patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. Although the development of minimally traumatic surgical concepts (MTSC) have enabled the preservation of residual hearing after the implantation, there is scarce literature regarding the vestibular affection following MTCS. The aim of the study is to analyze histopathologic changes in the vestibule after CI in an animal model (Macaca fascicularis). Cochlear implantation was performed successfully in 14 ears following MTCS. They were classified in two groups upon type of electrode array used. Group A (n = 6) with a FLEX 28 electrode array and Group B (n = 8) with HL14 array. A 6-month follow-up was carried out with periodic objective auditory testing. After their sacrifice, histological processing and subsequent analysis was carried out. Intracochlear findings, vestibular presence of fibrosis, obliteration or collapse is analyzed. Saccule and utricle dimensions and neuroepithelium width is measured. Cochlear implantation was performed successfully in all 14 ears through a round window approach. Mean angle of insertion was >270° for group A and 180-270° for group B. In group A auditory deterioration was observed in Mf 1A, Mf2A and Mf5A with histopathological signs of scala tympani ossification, saccule collapse (Mf1A and Mf2A) and cochlear aqueduct obliteration (Mf5A). Besides, signs of endolymphatic sinus dilatation was seen for Mf2B and Mf5A. Regarding group B, no auditory deterioration was observed. Histopathological signs of endolymphatic sinus dilatation were seen in Mf 2B and Mf 8B. In conclusion, the risk of histological damage of the vestibular organs following minimally traumatic surgical concepts and the soft surgery principles is very low. CI surgery is a safe procedure and it can be done preserving the vestibular structures.

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Abstract Introduction In patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, BPPV; a torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus can be elicited in the supine straight head-hanging position test or in the Dix-Hallpike test to either side. This type of nystagmus can be explained by either an anterior canal BPPV or by an apogeotropic variant of the contralateral posterior canal BPPV Until now all the therapeutic maneuvers that have been proposed address only one possibility, and without first performing a clear differential diagnosis between them. Objective To propose a new maneuver for torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus with a clear lateralization that takes into account both possible diagnoses (anterior canal-BPPV and posterior canal-BPPV). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted on 157 consecutive patients with BPPV. The new maneuver was performed only in those with torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus with clear lateralization. Results Twenty patients (12.7%) were diagnosed with a torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus. The maneuver was performed in 10 (6.35%) patients, in whom the affected side was clearly determined. Seven (4.45%) patients were diagnosed with an anterior canal-BPPV and successfully treated. Two (1.25%) patients were diagnosed with a posterior canal-BPPV and successfully treated with an Epley maneuver after its conversion into a geotropic posterior BPPV. Conclusion This new maneuver was found to be effective in resolving all the cases of torsional-vertical down beating positioning nystagmus-BPPV caused by an anterior canal-BPPV, and in shifting in a controlled way the posterior canal-BPPV cases of the contralateral side into a geotropic-posterior-BPPV successfully treated during the followup visit. Moreover, this new maneuver helped in the differential diagnosis between anterior canal-BPPV and a contralateral posterior canal-BPPV.

Resumo Introdução Em pacientes com vertigem posicional paroxística benigna, VPPB, um nistagmo vertical para baixo com componente de torção pode ser provocado no teste head hanging supino executado na posição reta ou no teste de Dix-Hallpike para qualquer um dos lados. Esse tipo de nistagmo pode ser explicado por uma VPPB do canal anterior ou por uma variante apogeotrópica da VPPB do canal posterior contralateral. Até agora, todas as manobras terapêuticas propostas abordam apenas uma possibilidade, sem antes fazer um diagnóstico diferencial claro entre elas. Objetivo Propor uma nova manobra para nistagmo vertical para baixo com componente de torção com uma lateralização clara que leve em consideração os dois diagnósticos possíveis, VPPB do canal anterior e VPPB do canal posterior. Método Um estudo de coorte prospectivo foi conduzido em 157 pacientes consecutivos com VPPB. A nova manobra foi feita apenas nos pacientes com nistagmo vertical para baixo com componente de torção, com lateralização nítida. Resultados Vinte pacientes (12,7%) foram diagnosticados com nistagmo vertical para baixo com componente de torção. A manobra foi feita em 10 (6,35%) pacientes, nos quais o lado afetado foi claramente determinado. Sete (4,45%) pacientes foram diagnosticados com VPPB do canal anterior e tratados com sucesso. Dois (1,25%) pacientes foram diagnosticados com VPPB do canal posterior e tratados com sucesso com a manobra de Epley após sua conversão para VPPB geotrópica de canal posterior. Conclusão Essa nova manobra mostrou-se eficaz na resolução de todos os casos de VPPB com nistagmo vertical para baixo com componente de torção causada por VPPB do canal anterior. E na mudança de forma controlada dos casos de VPPB do canal posterior do lado contralateral para uma VPPB geotrópica de canal posterior tratada com sucesso durante a consulta de seguimento. Além disso, essa nova manobra auxiliou no diagnóstico diferencial entre a VPPB do canal anterior e a VPPB do canal posterior contralateral.

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Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common disorders that causes dizziness. The incidence of horizontal semicircular canal (HSC) BPPV ranges from 5% to 40.5% of the total number of BPPV cases diagnosed. Several studies have focused on establishing methods to treat BPPV caused by the apogeotropic variant of the HSC, namely, the Appiani maneuver (App). In 2016, a new maneuver was proposed: the Zuma e Maia maneuver (ZeM), based on inertia and gravity. The aim of this study is to analyze the efficacy of App versus ZeM in the resolution of episodes of BPPV produced by an affectation of the horizontal semicircular canal with apogeotropic nystagmus (Apo-HSC). A retrospective, quasi-experimental study was conducted. Patients attended in office (November 2014-February 2019) at a third-level hospital and underwent a vestibular otoneurology assessment. Those who were diagnosed with Apo-HSC, treated with App or ZeM, were included. To consider the efficacy of the maneuvers, the presence of symptoms and/or nystagmus at the first follow up was studied. Patients classified as "A" were those with no symptoms, no nystagmus; "A/N+": no symptoms, nystagmus present during supine roll test; "S": symptoms present. Previous history of BPPV and/or otic pathology and calcium levels were also compiled. From the 54 patients included, 74% were women. The average age was 69. Mean follow-up: 52.51 days. In those patients without previous history of BPPV (n = 35), the probability of being group "A" was 63% and 56% (p = 0.687) when treated with App and ZeM, respectively, while being "A/N+" was 79% and 87% for App and ZeM (p = 0.508). Of the 19 patients who had previous history of BPPV, 13% and 64% were group "A" when treated with App and ZeM (p = 0.043), and 25% and 82% were "A/N+" after App and ZeM, respectively (p = 0.021). In conclusion, for HSC cupulolithiasis, ZeM is more effective than App in those cases in which there is a history of previous episodes of BPPV ("A": 64% (p = 0.043); "A/N+": 82% (p = 0.021)).

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PURPOSE: Current studies show that frequency tuning modification is a good marker for the detection of endolymphatic hydrops (EH) employing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with Ménière's disease (MD). The purpose of the present study is to analyze the auditory and vestibular function with audiometric and vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) responses, respectively, in both the affected and unaffected ears of patients with unilateral MD using MRI as diagnostic support for the degree of EH. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 76 consecutive patients with unilateral definite MD (age 55 (28-75); 39 women, 37 men). MRI was used through intravenous gadolinium administration, audiometry, and VEMPs. Functional tests were performed up to a week after the MRI. All were followed up one year after imaging utilizing clinical, auditory, and vestibular testing to rule out bilateral involvement. RESULTS: In the unaffected ear, the mean pure-tone average is normal even in cases with hydrops and, for a similar severity of hydrops is significantly lower than in the affected ear. Significant differences for the amplitude of the response at 0.5 kHz, at 1 kHz between the affected and unaffected ears were found to be lower in the affected ears. The relative amplitude ratio (1 Kz-0.5 kHz) was significantly lower in the affected ear and in the case of the oVEMP response depends on the degree of EH. The response in the unaffected ear was not modified by the presence or the degree of hydrops. CONCLUSION: In the unaffected ear, hydrops is not associated with hearing deterioration. For a similar degree of hydrops, hearing loss is significantly greater in the affected ear. The endolymphatic hydrops in the vestibule induces a frequency bias in the VEMP response only in the affected ear and not in the unaffected ear. Because of these findings we consider that hydrops does not represent an active disorder in the unaffected ear.

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