Subclinical vestibular deficit in six‐canal video head impulse testing (vHIT) in patients with vestibular schwannomas

This is the first study to demonstrate vestibular deficit in patients with vestibular schwannoma who do not have clinical symptoms of imbalance. Balance can have significant impact on patient's quality of life, and vHIT can potentially identify those at risk of balance problems. vHIT is the only validated test for six-canal vestibular function. vHIT is quick and easily tolerated and can be useful in helping patients understand their balance symptoms. The posterior semi-circular canal seems to be most often affected, in keeping with the common histological origin of vestibular schwannoma, the inferior vestibular nerve.