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<p>Tinnitus, a prevalent auditory condition, may involve subclinical vestibular dysfunction despite normal hearing, suggesting auditory–vestibular interactions in its pathophysiology. This study aimed to investigate vestibular function in individuals with tinnitus with normal hearing to identify potential subclinical abnormalities present with tinnitus perception. An analytic cross-sectional design was employed, involving 50 participants aged 18–50 years, divided into two groups: 25 normal-hearing individuals without tinnitus (control group) and 25 normal-hearing individuals with continuous tinnitus for at least one month (tinnitus group). All participants underwent audiovestibular evaluation, including pure-tone audiometry, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP), and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMP), to assess sacculo-collic and utriculo-ocular pathway integrity. The tinnitus group exhibited a higher incidence of absent or reduced cVEMP and oVEMP responses compared to controls, despite no reported balance issues. Statistical analysis using the Mann–Whitney U test revealed significantly reduced cVEMP amplitudes in the tinnitus group at 500&#xa0;Hz, 1000&#xa0;Hz, and 2000&#xa0;Hz (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). Similarly, oVEMP measures showed significant differences in P15 latencies and amplitudes at 500&#xa0;Hz, 1000&#xa0;Hz, and 2000&#xa0;Hz (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05), with oVEMP responses more affected than cVEMP. These findings indicate subclinical dysfunction of otolith organs and associated vestibular pathways in individuals with tinnitus and normal hearing. The results support the hypothesis of auditory–vestibular interaction in tinnitus pathophysiology. Incorporating vestibular assessments such as VEMPs in the routine evaluation of tinnitus may enhance diagnostic precision and aid in the identification of hidden vestibular deficits, ultimately guiding more effective and individualized management strategies.</p>

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Investigating Otolith Organ Functioning in Normal Hearing Individuals with Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月18日

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  • Riddhi N. Trivedi,
  • Nikita Nanavati

摘要

Tinnitus, a prevalent auditory condition, may involve subclinical vestibular dysfunction despite normal hearing, suggesting auditory–vestibular interactions in its pathophysiology. This study aimed to investigate vestibular function in individuals with tinnitus with normal hearing to identify potential subclinical abnormalities present with tinnitus perception. An analytic cross-sectional design was employed, involving 50 participants aged 18–50 years, divided into two groups: 25 normal-hearing individuals without tinnitus (control group) and 25 normal-hearing individuals with continuous tinnitus for at least one month (tinnitus group). All participants underwent audiovestibular evaluation, including pure-tone audiometry, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP), and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMP), to assess sacculo-collic and utriculo-ocular pathway integrity. The tinnitus group exhibited a higher incidence of absent or reduced cVEMP and oVEMP responses compared to controls, despite no reported balance issues. Statistical analysis using the Mann–Whitney U test revealed significantly reduced cVEMP amplitudes in the tinnitus group at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz (p < 0.05). Similarly, oVEMP measures showed significant differences in P15 latencies and amplitudes at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz (p < 0.05), with oVEMP responses more affected than cVEMP. These findings indicate subclinical dysfunction of otolith organs and associated vestibular pathways in individuals with tinnitus and normal hearing. The results support the hypothesis of auditory–vestibular interaction in tinnitus pathophysiology. Incorporating vestibular assessments such as VEMPs in the routine evaluation of tinnitus may enhance diagnostic precision and aid in the identification of hidden vestibular deficits, ultimately guiding more effective and individualized management strategies.