VEMP using a new low-frequency bone conduction transducer
Journal article, 2018

Objective: A new prototype bone conduction (BC) transducer B250, with an emphasized low-frequency response, is evaluated in vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) investigations. The aim was to compare cervical (cVEMP) and ocular (oVEMP) responses using tone bursts at 250 and 500 Hz with BC stimulation using the B250 and the conventional B81 transducer and by using air conduction (AC) stimulation. Methods: Three normal subjects were investigated in a pilot study. BC stimulation was applied to the mastoids in cVEMP, and both mastoid and forehead in oVEMP investigations. Results: BC stimulation was found to reach VEMP thresholds at considerably lower hearing levels than in AC stimulation (30-40 dB lower oVEMP threshold at 250 Hz). Three or more cVEMP and oVEMP responses at consecutive 5 dB increasing mastoid stimulation levels were only obtained in all subjects using the B250 transducer at 250 Hz. Similar BC thresholds were obtained for both ipsilateral and contralateral mastoid stimulation. Forehead stimulation, if needed, may require a more powerful vibration output. Conclusion: Viable VEMP responses can be obtained at a considerably lower hearing level with BC stimulation than by AC stimulation. The cVEMP and oVEMP responses were similar when measured on one side and with the B250 attached to both ipsilateral and contralateral mastoids.

VEMP

bone conduction

vestibular investigation

oVEMP

cVEMP

air conduction

Author

Bo Håkansson

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing and Biomedical Engineering

Karl-Johan Fredén Jansson

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing and Biomedical Engineering

Tomas Tengstrand

University of Gothenburg

Leif Johannsen

Ortofon A/S

Mans Eeg-Olofsson

University of Gothenburg

Cristina Rigato

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing and Biomedical Engineering

Elisabeth Dahlstrom

University of Gothenburg

Sabine Reinfeldt

Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing and Biomedical Engineering

Medical Devices: Evidence and Research

11791470 (eISSN)

Vol. 11 301-312

Subject Categories

Other Medical Engineering

Otorhinolaryngology

Medical Equipment Engineering

DOI

10.2147/MDER.S171369

PubMed

30233258

More information

Latest update

1/24/2019