Download PDF
J Am Acad Audiol 2000; 11(02): 76-83
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1748013
Original Article

Self-Perceived Balance Disability/Handicap in the Presence of Bilateral Peripheral Vestibular System Impairment

Gary P. Jacobson
Division of Audiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
,
Jaynee H. Calder
Division of Audiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The purpose of this report was to characterize the self-perceived balance disability/handicap of patients with bilateral reductions and bilateral complete losses of peripheral vestibular system function. Data from 72 patients whose electronystagmography and rotational examinations suggested normal, unilateral, or bilateral reductions in peripheral vestibular system function were used in the first investigation. Patients also completed a Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Results demonstrated significant group differences for DHI total and physical subscale scores. There were significant differences between normal and bilateral weakness groups for the total DHI score and between normal and unilateral and normal and bilateral weakness groups for the physical subscale score. In a second investigation, an item analysis of the DHI is presented for five patients with bilateral complete losses of peripheral vestibular system function. Results show that, predictably, these patients have difficulty engaging in activities requiring an intact vestibulocular reflex (e.g., physical activities such as sports, household chores).

Abbreviations: BFT = Balance Function Test, DHI = Dizziness Handicap Inventory, maximum SPV = maximum slow-phase eye velocity, VOR = vestibulocular reflex

Key Words

Disability - dizziness - handicap - vestibular


Publication History

Article published online:
06 April 2022

© 2000. American Academy of Audiology. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

  • REFERENCES

  • American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1994). Guidelines for the audiologic management of individuals receiving cochleotoxic drug therapy. ASHA 36(Suppl 12):11–19.
  • Ballantyne J. (1984). Ototoxicity. In: Oosterveld WJ, ed. Otoneurology. New York: Wiley, 41–51.
  • Black FO, Meyers EN, Schramm VL, Johnson J, Sigler B, Thearle PB, Burns DS. (1982). Cisplatin vestibular ototoxicity: preliminary report. Laryngoscope 92: 1363–1368.
  • Curthoys IS, Halmagyi GM. (1996). How does the brain compensate for vestibular lesions? In: Baloh RW, Halmagyi GM, eds. Disorders of the Vestibular System. New York: Oxford University Press, 145–154.
  • Hashino E, Sero Μ, Salvi RJ. (1997). Lysomal targeting and accumulation of aminoglycoside antibiotics in sensory hair cells. Brain Res 777:75–85.
  • Herdman SJ. (1996). Vestibular rehabilitation. In: Baloh RW, Halmagyi GM, eds. Disorders of the Vestibular System. New York: Oxford University Press, 583–597.
  • Hess K. (1996). Vestibulotoxic drugs and other causes of acquired bilateral peripheral vestibulopathy. In: Baloh RW, Halmagyi GM, eds. Disorders of the Vestibular System. New York: Oxford University Press, 360–373.
  • Jacobson GP, Means ED. (1985). Efficacy of a monothermal warm water caloric screening test. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 94:377–381.
  • Jacobson GP, Newman CW. (1990). The development of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 116:424–427.
  • Jacobson GP, Newman CW. (1991). Rotational testing. Semin Hear 12:199–225.
  • Jacobson GP, Newman CW. (1993a). Background and technique of caloric testing. In: Jacobson GP, Newman CW, Kartush J, eds. Handbook of Balance Function Testing. Chicago: Mosby-Yearbook, 156–192.
  • Jacobson GP, Newman CW. (1993b). Interpretation and usefulness of caloric testing. In: Jacobson GP, Newman CW, Kartush J, eds. Handbook of Balance Function Testing. Chicago: Mosby-Yearbook, 193–234.
  • Jacobson GP, Newman CW, Hunter L, Balzer GK. (1991). Balance function test correlates of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory. J Am Acad Audiol 2:253–260.
  • Jacobson GP, Pearlstein R, Henderson J, Calder JH, Rock J. (1998). Recovery nystagmus revisited. J Am Acad Audiol 9:263–271.
  • Jacobson GP, Rupp K, English S, Newman CW. (1995). A reappraisal of the monothermal warm caloric screening test. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 104:942–945.
  • Kitsigianis GA, O'Leary DP, Davis LL. (1988). Active head movement analysis of cisplatin-induced vestibulo-toxicity. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 98:82–87.
  • Minor LB. 1998. Gentamicin-induced bilateral vestibular hypofunction. JAMA 279:541–544.
  • Newman CW, Jacobson GP (1993a). Assessing balance handicap. In: Jacobson GP, Newman CW, Kartush J, eds. Handbook of Balance Function Testing. Chicago: Mosby-Yearbook, 380–391.
  • Newman CW, Jacobson GP. (1993b). Application of self-report scales in balance function testing, handicap assessment and management. Semin Hear 14:363–376.
  • Newman CW, Weinstein BE, Jacobson GP, Hug GA. (1990). The Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults: psychometric adequacy and audiometric correlates. Ear Hear 11:430–433.
  • O'Leary DP, Davis LL. (1990). High-frequency autorotational testing of the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Neurol Clin 8:297–312.
  • Shepard NT, Telian SA, Smith-Wheelock M, Raj A. (1993). Vestibular and balance rehabilitation therapy. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 102:198–205.