Effect of Stimulus Frequency on Air-Conducted Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore the effect of stimulus frequency on air-conducted cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP and oVEMP) in healthy subjects. METHODS: The study included 45 healthy subjects who underwent the VEMP tests. Different stimulus frequencies (250-1500 Hz) were used for air-conducted cVEMP and oVEMP. RESULTS: In cVEMP, P1 and N1 latencies were significantly affected by different frequencies (P < .01). The amplitude at 500 Hz was significantly larger than those at other frequencies (P < .01).There was no significant main effect of frequency on asymmetry ratio (AR) (P > .05). In oVEMP, there was a tendency for the N1 and P1 latencies to decrease from 250 Hz to 1500 Hz (P < .01). The amplitudes at 500 Hz and 1000 Hz were significantly larger than the amplitudes at 250 Hz and 1500 Hz (P < .01).There was no significant main effect of frequency on AR (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The optimal stimulus frequency of the cVEMP is 500 Hz and for the oVEMP is 500Hz or 1000Hz. Due to the absence of impact of stimulus frequency, AR is the best parameter of VEMP for clinical use.