Comparison of the cVEMP and oVEMP Responses with Different Stimuli in Healthy Individuals

Objective: Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) are electromyographic responses induced by auditory, tactile, or electrical stimulation. Electrode placement, intensity, and the type of stimulus applied to influence the amplitude and latency of VEMP responses. The study aims to investigate the effect of differences in stimulus intensities and stimulus types on VEMP results. Methods: Twenty participants (40 ears) between the ages of 18 and 30 (22.7±1.8) took part in the study. Results from the cervical VEMP (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) tests were examined using six different characterized stimuli (click, LS CE Chirp, 500 Hz- 1000 Hz Tone Burst, and 500 Hz- 1000 Hz LS CE Chirp) at intensities of 100 dB nHL, 90 dB nHL, and 80 dB nHL. Results: In cVEMP and oVEMP testing, there was no significant difference between the amplitudes of 500 Hz tone burst (TB) and 500 Hz LS CE chirp stimuli; however, the p1 and n1 latencies of chirp stimuli were found to be significantly shorter. There was no significant difference between p1-n1 latency and the asymmetry ratio of frequency-specific stimuli. No difference was seen between click and chirp stimuli in any of the assessments. Conclusion: The chirp stimulus is an effective alternative for TB. It is encouraged that each clinic develops its normative data because of the differences in recording parameters.