Audio-vestibular findings in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis may negatively affect hearing and balance systems. We aimed to investigate audio-vestibular funcitons in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients according to the lesion site. Twenty five RRMS patients (10 of them supratentorial and 15 of them supra+infratentorial-50 ears) and 30 healthy control (60 ears) were included in the study. Dizziness Handicapped Index (DHI) Disability Status Scale, immitansmetric evaluation, distortion product otoacoustic emmission (DPOAE), transient otoacoustic emmission (TEOAE), auitory brainstem response (ABR),vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and videonistagmography were applied to all participants. Air conductionand (250-6000 Hz ve 12500-16000 Hz) bone conduction hearing thresholds and acoustic reflex frequency were higher in RRMS (500,1000, 2000 Hz) group in comparison to control group(p>001). For some frequencies significant difference was observed by means of TEOAE, DPOAE responses and SNR between groups(p<0,05). Latencies between I, III, V. waves and I-III, I-V, III-V interpeak latencies were prolonged in supra+infratentorial group(p<0,01). P1and P1-N1 latencies were longer in RRMS patients. VNG revealed abnormalities on saccades, pursuit, positional and caloric tests in supra+infratentorial group. Functional subscores of DHİ were highest in supra+infratentorial group(p<0,05). In comparison to control group, RRMS patients demonstrated auditory and vestibular findings supporting central involvement. Keywords: Hearing,infratentorial, relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, supratentorial, vestibular.