title: Characterizing the frequency tuning properties of air-conduction ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in healthy individuals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Inconsistencies regarding frequency tuning of ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMP) prompted the present study to aim at characterizing frequency tuning of oVEMP in healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Normative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted to obtain oVEMP responses from 54 healthy individuals in age range of 18-30 years. The responses were acquired for tone-bursts at octave and mid-octave frequencies from 250 to 2000 Hz from the inferior oblique muscle using contralateral electrode placement. The frequencies were compared for amplitude and threshold.
  
  
  RESULTS
  oVEMPs were present in 100% of individuals at or below the frequency of 1000 Hz. The responses had maximum amplitude and lowest thresholds at 500 Hz. There were at least two replicable peak-complexes namely n1-p1 and p1-n2. Both these complexes revealed tuning at 500 Hz. Comparison between the two peak-complexes revealed higher amplitudes and lower thresholds for p1-n2 complex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  oVEMPs are tuned to 500 Hz for both peak-complexes, with p1-n2 being more robust. Future studies using the threshold of oVEMP may be better suited to use p1-n2 complex for this purpose, provided vestibular origin of the second complex is proved. Additionally, careful use of tuning property is recommended when evaluating pathological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Manasagangothri , Mysore, Karnataka , India.
authors.forename: Niraj Kumar
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Animesh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barman
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011930:Reaction Time; D012444:Saccule and Utricle / Q000294:innervation*; D013997:Time Factors; D058585:Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials; D055815:Young Adult