Analysis and interpretation of air-conducted ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (AC-oVEMP) – our experience in healthy adults

Background: Ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (oVEMP) is one of recently introduced tests used to assess the function of the equilibrium system. It is still under research and no consensus has been reached yet. Aim: To analyze AC-oVEMP response parameters in subjects with no history of neurological or vestibular deficits. Material and Methods: The AC-oVEMPs collected from 50 subjects (100 ears) were analyzed in this prospective study for the response presence in the time domain, the latencies and amplitudes of the waves. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the right and left ear considering both N1 latency, and amplitude. Significant differences were noted when comparing the groups <40 yo vs ≥40 yo (shorter latencies and higher amplitudes were observed in subjects <40). Conclusions and Significance: This thorough AC-oVEMP analysis in a group of healthy volunteers facilitated the proposal of reference ranges with a simultaneous indication of age-related differences. Shorter oVEMP latencies and higher amplitudes were observed in subjects <40 yo, while in the subjects ≥40 yo the latencies were longer and the amplitudes lower.