Audiometric findings of patients with migraine-associated dizziness.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine whether the audiometric findings of migraine-associated dizziness could be used to better distinguish migraine-associated dizziness from Meniere's disease.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Tertiary, otology/neurotology practice.


METHODS
Two groups of patients were studied, a migraine-associated dizziness and a Meniere's disease group. There were 76 and 34 patients in the migraine-associated dizziness and Meniere's disease groups, respectively.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Initial and follow-up pure-tone average and low-frequency pure-tone average were recorded for both groups. Independent samples t tests were used to test for mean differences in pure-tone average and low-frequency pure-tone average.


RESULTS
Pure-tone average and low-frequency pure-tone average were significantly worse for patients in the Meniere's disease group at both the initial and follow-up assessments. Three patients in the migraine-associated dizziness group had an elevated pure-tone average (>/=26 dB) and/or low-frequency pure-tone average at initial and/or follow-up assessment. The remaining 73 migraine-associated dizziness patients had normal hearing. In the Meniere's disease group, only two patients had a normal pure-tone average and low-frequency pure-tone average at both initial and follow-up evaluations. The hearing difference between the two groups was significant even when controlling for age and duration of dizziness symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Audiometric findings of patients with migraine-associated dizziness are most often normal. Unlike Meniere's disease, the sensorineural hearing loss in migraine-associated dizziness rarely progresses. These audiometric findings may help to distinguish migraine-associated dizziness from Meniere's disease when diagnostic ambiguity exists between these two diagnoses.
Battista
Robert A
RA
Department of Clinical Otolaryngology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60521, USA. robert_battista@rush.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology