Relationship between nonserviceable hearing and auditory brainstem response in patients with vestibular schwannoma.

Objective: The interpretation of ABR results in patients with vestibular schwannoma is often unclear. We investigated the correlation between serviceable hearing in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) and factors including auditory brainstem response (ABR) at their initial presentation.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed initial magnetic resonance imaging findings, Gardner-Robertson (G&R) classification, ABR, and related data from 72 patients with VS who visited our institution between February 2017 and January 2023. Factors affecting hearing thresholds and nonserviceable hearing were examined.

Results: Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between nonserviceable hearing and Koos stage 4, ABR Ⅴ-wave negative, and tumor diameter ≥21.5 mm. In a multivariate analysis, ABR Ⅴ-wave negative was independently associated with nonserviceable hearing.

Conclusion: In the present single-center, retrospective sample population, inadequate Ⅴ-waves in the ABR were independently associated with nonserviceable hearing. The findings are useful in explaining serviceable hearing to patients with VS.