Journal Reviews
A dizzying response to the silent killer
In this recent case control report by Kandemir and colleagues, we are asked to consider the association between hypertensive disease and hearing impairment, tinnitus and dizziness. A 200-strong cohort of normotensive and newly-diagnosed hypertensive patients underwent pure tone audiometry, Tinnitus...
BPPV and pregnancy
This narrative review explores the limited evidence surrounding benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) during pregnancy. Although BPPV is the most common vestibular disorder and is known to affect women more frequently than men, the literature specifically examining its occurrence in...
Persistent postural perceptual dizziness following stroke: the risk factors
The primary motivation for the study, as stated by the authors, was that the factors behind persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD) have not been clearly determined in stroke patients. To that end, a prospective study of adults presenting to a...
Determinants influencing ageing within the vestibular system
The observation that ageing affects vestibular function is not new. However, using a whole population survey, the authors set out to evaluate quantitatively factors responsible for the age-related changes in vestibular function. As part of a national survey on health...
Migraine medication and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is a very common form of dizziness (lifetime prevalence 2.4%) and has been noted to have an association with migraine. The cause of otoconia displacement in BPPV is often unclear. A vascular mechanism theory has been postulated in varying...
Paroxysmal downbeating nystagmus and proton pump inhibitors
This case report highlights the effect of long-term use of proton pump inhibitors on the vestibular system. The authors reported a case of a 70-year-old woman who was admitted with delirium, ataxia, slurred speech and slowness of thought. She had...
Vestibular implantation: are we there yet?
The objectives of this review article were to ascertain, through a systematic literature review, device design, surgical approaches, objective and subjective outcomes as well as limitations of vestibular implantation (VI). Following an extensive systematic search using PRISMA guidelines, 21 studies...
Epley manoeuvre angles
Posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PC-BPPV) is a common vestibular cause of dizziness regularly encountered in the outpatient clinic. The condition is often diagnosed with a positive Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre (DHM) – turning the patient’s head 45 degrees to the...
Ramsey Hunt causes more widespread vestibular dysfunction that other causes of acute peripheral vestibulopathy
The extent of semicircular canal dysfunction in different conditions causing acute vestibular syndrome (AS) has not been widely studied. The authors share their findings in a retrospective study of patients presenting with AVS in three conditions: Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHSD),...
Not to be mis-underestimated
It is a very rare occurrence to find a paper looking at NF2 and the auditory system. There seems to only be a couple on NF2 prevalence in the population, so this is unsurprising. As far as I can recall...
Virtual vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is as effective as in-person VR
The effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation (VR) for patients with several vestibular disorders is well established. Access for in-person clinic-based VR is however patchy and limited. To widen access, offering VR via virtual platforms is increasingly being adopted. The authors conducted...
Current AI audiology knowledge
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming increasingly popular and can be utilised by patients, healthcare professionals and students. The performance of chatbots can be variable between different AIs and, indeed, different topics. There is no current consensus for the best...
