Vestibular function and balance performance in children with sensorineural hearing loss

OBJECTIVE: Balance difficulties are common in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). For some of these children, concomitant vestibular deficits may impact postural control. This study aimed to explore vestibular function, functional balance and postural control, and the relationship between these measures in children with SNHL. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study quantifying peripheral vestibular function (vestibular evoked myogenic potentials [VEMP], video head impulse test), functional balance (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency [BOT]) and postural control (static posturography with modified sensory inputs). The relationship between the degree of vestibular impairment, functional balance and postural control was explored. STUDY SAMPLE: Eleven with SNHL, and 11 with normal sound detection (NSD) between 5 and 12 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: Vestibular dysfunction in children with SNHL was variable. Vestibular impairment predicted poorer functional balance performance and postural control abilities, including differences in postural sway patterns.