Audiovestibular Function in Infratentorial Superficial Siderosis

Clinical audiological (hearing) tests were performed to assess hearing function. The hearing tests included psychophysical, physiological and electrophysiological measures, (pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, auditory brainstem responses and acoustic reflexes). The tests were perfomed in line with the procedure guidelines by the British Society of Audiology (www.thebsa.org.uk). The mean value of pure-tone audiometric thresholds for both ears measured in decibel hearing level (as described in the guidelines by the British Society of Audiology) was calculated and reported. Other parameters were reported as normal or abnormal (in at least one ear) or inconclusive.

Clinical vestibular and balance tests were performed to assess vestibular/balance function.

Clinical audiological (hearing) tests were performed to assess hearing function. The hearing tests included psychophysical, physiological and electrophysiological measures, (pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, auditory brainstem responses and acoustic reflexes). The tests were perfomed in line with the procedure guidelines by the British Society of Audiology (www.thebsa.org.uk). The mean value of pure-tone audiometric thresholds for both ears measured in decibel hearing level (as described in the guidelines by the British Society of Audiology) was calculated and reported. Other parameters were reported as normal or abnormal (in at least one ear) or inconclusive.

Clinical audiological (hearing) tests were performed to assess hearing function. The hearing tests included psychophysical, physiological and electrophysiological measures, (pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, auditory brainstem responses and acoustic reflexes). The tests were perfomed in line with the procedure guidelines by the British Society of Audiology (www.thebsa.org.uk). The mean value of pure-tone audiometric thresholds for both ears measured in decibel hearing level (as described in the guidelines by the British Society of Audiology) was calculated and reported. Other parameters were reported as normal or abnormal (in at least one ear) or inconclusive.

Clinical audiological (hearing) tests were performed to assess hearing function. The hearing tests included psychophysical, physiological and electrophysiological measures, (pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, auditory brainstem responses and acoustic reflexes). The tests were perfomed in line with the procedure guidelines by the British Society of Audiology (www.thebsa.org.uk). The mean value of pure-tone audiometric thresholds for both ears measured in decibel hearing level (as described in the guidelines by the British Society of Audiology) was calculated and reported. Other parameters were reported as normal or abnormal (in at least one ear) or inconclusive.

Clinical audiological (hearing) tests were performed to assess hearing function. The hearing tests included psychophysical, physiological and electrophysiological measures, (pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, auditory brainstem responses and acoustic reflexes). The tests were perfomed in line with the procedure guidelines by the British Society of Audiology (www.thebsa.org.uk). The mean value of pure-tone audiometric thresholds for both ears measured in decibel hearing level (as described in the guidelines by the British Society of Audiology) was calculated and reported. Other parameters were reported as normal or abnormal (in at least one ear) or inconclusive. Cameron S, Dillon H. The listening in spatialized noise-sentences test (LISN-S): comparison to the prototype LISN and results from children with either a suspected (central) auditory processing disorder or a confirmed language disorder. J Am Acad Audiol. 2008 May;19(5):377-91.

Siderosis group participants underwent formal imaging procedures as part of their clinical care pathway. The imaging results were reviewed with the results obtained from hearing and vestibular/balance assessments. All participants had MRI Brain, as part of their clinical care pathway; susceptibility-weighted images were reviewed to identify the appearance of superficial siderosis, in keeping with the radiological diagnostic criteria (Reference: Wilson et al, 2017).

Siderosis group participants underwent a formal neuro-cognitive assessment as part of their clinical care pathway. The results of this clinical assessment were reviewed to determine if an association exists between the cognitive assessment results and the results obtained from hearing and vestibular/balance assessments performed during the study. A formal neuro-cognitive assessment was performed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale test. Cognitive impairment in a domain was defined as scoring at or below the fifth percentile on any one test in that domain.

University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT, British version) was performed (siderosis group participants) to assess their olfactory function. UPSIT is a forced-choice 40-item self-administered test. The scores are calculated using manufacturer's answer key as the sum of correct answers (maximum best = 40, minimum score 6; anosmia <19(males, females); normosmia >33 (males) and >34 (females)), and compared to the age- and gender-matched norms. The scores are also grouped into categories (ranging from normosmia to anosmia), with higher scores indicating better olfactory function.