Migrainous vertigo is a common cause of dizziness presenting to an otorhinolaryngology/otoneurology clinic. Although it causes a substantial burden to the individual and society there are no randomized controlled trails on prophylactic medication for this condition. Flunarizine, a calcium channel blocker has been used effectively in both migraine and vestibular conditions. This randomized control trial was undertaken in a tertiary academic referral center to evaluate the efficacy of flunarizine in patients with migrainous vertigo when compared to non-specific vestibular treatment of betahistine and vestibular exercises. The effect of flunarizine on two particularly disabling symptoms of vertigo and headache was studied. A total of 48 patients who were diagnosed with definitive migrainous vertigo completed the study of 12 weeks duration. Patients in arm A received 10-mg flunarizine daily along with betahistine 16 mg and paracetamol 1 gm during episodes, and arm B received only betahistine and paracetamol during episodes. Symptom scores were noted at the start of the study and at the end of 12 weeks. Analysis of the frequency of vertiginous episodes showed a significant difference between arm A and arm B (p = 0.010) and improvement in severity of vertigo between the two groups (p = 0.046). Headache frequency and severity did not improve to a significant degree in arm A as compared to arm B. The main side effects were weight gain and somnolence and this was not significantly different between the two groups. Flunarizine (10 mg) is effective in patients with migrainous vertigo who suffer from considerable vestibular symptoms.

Many developed countries have well established universal neonatal hearing screening programs. In India, the viability of such a program, in an already overburdened health system is indeed a challenge. This cross sectional study was undertaken to evaluate the possible burden of hearing loss among neonates born at a tertiary care hospital in Southern India. Five hundred neonates were screened with automated distortion product otoacoustic emission (aDPOAE) for hearing loss, 9.2% of whom had one or more high risk factors. Although 6.4% had hearing loss at initial assessment, only 1.6% had hearing loss on retesting with aDPOAE. Retesting with OAE before an automated Auditory brainstem response (aABR) helped to exclude patients without hearing loss. The frequency of moderate to moderately severe hearing loss in this study was 0.6%. This pilot study underscores the importance of the introduction of screening for congenital deafness in specialized centers in India, despite its challenges.

OBJECTIVE:To assess the functional status of the otolithic pathway in vestibular migraine by comparing the results of static and dynamic subjective visual vertical and horizontal [subjective visual vertical (SVV) and subjective visual horizontal (SVH)] testing in patients with vestibular migraine with that of normal individuals. MATERIALS and METHODS:This hospital-based prospective study was conducted in 82 normal adults and 66 adults with vestibular migraine. The SVV and SVH angles were measured under static and dynamic conditions using a software-based test protocol. The arithmetic mean of six readings in each situation was considered. The results were further analyzed by stratifying cases and controls into two age groups 20-40 years and 41-60 years and into gender. RESULTS:The clinical profile of the patients with vestibular migraine was comparable to the available literature. The dynamic SVV and SVH in both age groups and the static SVH in the 41-60 years age group were significantly higher compared to normal individuals (p<0.05). The dynamic SVV and SVH were significantly higher in the cases compared to controls among both males and females (p<0.05). CONCLUSION:There is evidence of otolithic pathway abnormalities in individuals with vestibular migraine. The inclusion of SVV and SVH testing for the evaluation of patients with vestibular migraine may be useful in the interpretation and rehabilitation of symptoms in these patients.

Neonatal hearing screening using BERAphone is a feasible service. The estimated prevalence of confirmed hearing loss was comparable to that in literature. Overcoming the large numbers of loss to follow-up proves to be a challenge in the implementation of such a program.

To establish normative data of vestibular evoked myogenic potential in different age groups among a heterogeneous Indian population. Prospective study design using a sample of convenience. Eighty five normal controls ranging between the ages 7 and 71 years were asked to provide a written signed consent for the study. Demographic characteristics of the patients were summarized using descriptive statistical methods using SPSS-17 analysing software. The outcome variable (VEMP recording) was expressed in percentiles as function of age. In all patients the stimulus which gave the best response was 95 dB (97.7 %) and 100 dB (95 %). The mean of wave latencies (p1 & n1) for 95-VEMP were, 11.2 ± 3.2 and 17.3 ± 4.7 ms on the right and 11.0 ± 2.8 and 17.0 ± 4.2 ms on the left respectively. The amplitude was 45.1 ± 54 mV on right and 46.9 ± 61.6 mV on the left. The mean of latency difference was 0.87 ms. The VEMP is a relatively simple test. The VEMP response rate was maximum in the younger age group; the optimum intensity was 95 dB. The asymmetry ratio interpretation should be done according to the age specific values.