Cochleo-Vestibular Correlations in Meniere's Disease

The cochlear and vestibular functions were investigated in a sample of 36 patients with unilateral Meniere's disease. Caloric reactions and hearing thresholds were compared separately at several frequencies. A topodiagnostic relationship between the cochlear and vestibular function was discovered. Using four qualitative categories, a significantly high correlation was obtained between the basal hearing loss (4000 Hz) and unilateral weakness, whereas no correlation was obtained when evaluating the more apical hearing loss (lower frequencies 250-1 000 Hz). A normal caloric reaction can be reasonably expected in cases of unilateral Meniere's disease if the hearing loss is less than approx. 40 dB HL at 4 000 Hz.