Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can affect both hearing and balance due to increased inner ear pressure.
Aims/objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of increased inner ear pressure on hearing and balance in patients with IIH using auditory and vestibular tests.
Material and methods: Twenty-four IIH patients and 28 healthy controls underwent oVEMP, pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflex tests pre-lumbar punctures. IIH patients received acetazolamide. Pre- and post-treatment results, tinnitus, and vertigo scores were compared. Post-treatment oVEMP and audiometry results were compared between groups.
Results: Pre-treatment oVEMP showed a significant left N1 latency difference (p = 0.049). Post-treatment, left ear amplitude (p = 0.035) and both ear amplitude ratios (p = 0.044 and p = 0.047) increased significantly. Audiometry had no significant changes (p < 0.05). Tinnitus and vertigo scores decreased significantly (p ≤ 0.001).
Conclusion: Prolonged oVEMP latency suggests IIH may impact the brain stem and vestibular nerve, while increased amplitude values indicate peripheral vestibular involvement. IIH affects hearing across all frequencies, especially at 4000 Hz, impacting both hearing and balance.
Significance: Understanding the effects of IIH on auditory and vestibular functions can guide effective treatments, improving quality of life for patients by addressing both hearing and balance issues.
Keywords: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; hearing loss; oVEMP; pseudotumor cerebri; tinnitus; vestibular system.