Aging of Vestibular system: Review Article

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Audio-Vestibular Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University

Abstract

Background: While a lot has been discovered about the auditory changes that occur with aging in the inner ear, the peripheral vestibular system, relatively less is known about the vestibular changes that occur with aging. Here, we review the prevalence of vestibular dysfunction and vestibular anatomical and functional changes in aging. As people get older, vestibular impairment becomes more common. Functionally, Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) amplitudes decline with age, VEMP thresholds rise, and head impulse test (HIT) vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain diminishes. The results of the VEMP latency and caloric tests are contradictory because of the intricacy of the vestibular system, changes in subject age, and measuring methods. A direct assessment of the peripheral vestibular system should be used to address this. Age-related structural changes in the vestibular ganglia and otoconia have been observed; alterations in the hair cell structure are less clear, and subcellular changes have not yet been fully investigated. Aim: to understand the relationship between the beginning of vestibular dysfunction and structural degeneration on the mechanisms of driving vestibular aging. Conclusion: There is a clear association between aging and decline in auditory sensitivity and reduced responses.

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Zagazig University Medical Journal

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 October 2023

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