Introduction: The term sudden vestibular paralysis or vestibular neuronitis is used for a certain group of features including vertigo with spontaneous nystagmus along with unimpaired hearing. However, if such patients are examined by high frequency audiometry, will hearing continue being "unimpaired"? This paper aims at trying to contribute an answer to this question. Material / Method: This is a retrospective review of the charts of 15 patients (aged between 15 and 49 years) who were referred to our ENT department on the island of Ikaria bearing the above mentioned group of symptoms. Right after pure tone audiogram high frequency audiometry including 10, 12.5, and 16 kHz was performed. Results: Though all values of pure tone audiogram were within normal range, measured values of high frequency audiometry were not. Observed mean value of the unaffected ears at 10kHz was 12.67dB, at 12.5kHz was 14.33dB and at 16kHz was 26.67dB. Observed mean value of the affected ears at 10kHz was 15.67dB, at 12.5kHz was 25dB and at 16kHz was 41dB. The observed mean values at 12.5 and 16kHz of the affected ears are higher than both the ones obtained from unaffected ears of the very same patients, and the ones obtained from asymptomatic subjects under 50 years of age, using the very same equipment. Discussion: Though our treatment was not altered by these values, certain questions arise: Is it appropriate to use the term sudden vestibular paralysis or vestibular neuronitis for sufferers from vertigo with normal pure tone audiogram but abnormal high frequency audiogram or not? If not what would the proper diagnosis be, and should their treatment change? It seems that examination of vertiginous patients in order to exclude hearing impairment should not be limited to pure tone audiometry.

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest