Evaluation of Masseteric Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials: A Comparative Study Between Children and Adults.

Purpose: The present study examined masseteric vestibular evoked myogenic potential (mVEMP) responses in children and compared these results with those of adults, using both air- and bone-conduction modes of stimulation.

Method: Fifteen children and fifteen adults with hearing thresholds below 15 dB HL were considered for the study. Ipsilateral 500-Hz narrow-band chirp (NB CE-chirp) evoked mVEMP responses were elicited via a zygomatic montage through both air- and bone-conduction modes of stimulation. Therefore, the recorded responses were analyzed for various mVEMP parameters, namely, absolute P11 and N21 peak latencies, the peak-to-peak amplitude of the P11-N21 complex, and the interaural asymmetry ratio.

Results: NB CE-chirp-evoked mVEMPs were 100% present at 500 Hz using both air- and bone-conduction modes of stimulation. No significant differences were found in mVEMP parameters between ears, genders, or modes of stimulation in both children and adults. However, a significant P11-N21 amplitude difference was observed between the two groups.

Conclusion: The findings of the study highlighted the need to incorporate age-appropriate reference values for interpreting mVEMP responses for children and adults across air- and bone-conduction modes.