Cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential: its age-related changes

Objective: The purpose of this work is to assess the possible effect of aging on cVEMP in the Egyptian subjects to be compared with the international published response findings. Methods: After excluding subjects with previous history of dizziness, middle ear disorders or neuromuscular diseases, Forty subjects were equally divided into two age groups; group A: 20-40 years old (control group), group B: >60 years old (study group). VEMP was recorded for all subjects using tone burst 500 Hz stimuli at the threshold level and 95 dB n HL intensity level through air conduction stimulation. Results: There was a significant difference in the cVEMP response threshold (p< 0.001), P13 wave latency (p<0.001) between the two age groups. No significant difference was found between the right and left ears, N23 wave latency or in P13-N23 amplitude between the two groups. Conclusions: This study confirmed a significant increase in cVEMP thresholds and a significant prolongation of P13 latency with age. Normative age related data may be necessary to properly interpret cVEMP recordings when evaluating aging populations.