Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome

Enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome is a disorder of the vestibular aqueducts, bony canals in the head that connect the inner ear to the endolymphatic sacs. Chemicals in the endolymphatic sacs are transported through the vestibular aqueducts to the inner ear.

Symptoms

• According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, patients with enlarged vestibular aqueducts often experience hearing loss and may have some difficulty maintaining balance.

Causes

• Genetic mutations are a major cause of enlarged vestibular aqueducts, including mutations from Pendred syndrome, a cause of hearing loss in children.

Diagnosis

• Doctors often use computerized tomography imaging tests and magnetic resonance imaging tests to diagnose the abnormalities of enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome. Enlarged vestibular aqueducts have a diameter that is greater than 1.5 millimeters.

Coping

• Patients with hearing loss associated with enlarged vestibular aqueducts may benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants or learning sign language.

Hearing Loss Prevention

• Enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome patients with diminished hearing may prevent further loss of hearing if they wear head protection when they participate in an activity such as skiing or bicycle riding that may cause a head injury. These patients should also avoid rapid changes in air pressure.