Abstract Introduction: The vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is a clinical tool used to assess otolithic organ and vestibular nerve integrity. Masseter VEMP (mVEMP) is a newer reflex test recorded from the masseter muscle that evaluates the vestibulo–trigeminal pathway. Despite growing interest, normative data on mVEMP across age groups remain limited. Objectives: The objective of the study is to compare the latency, amplitude, and amplitude asymmetry ratio (AAR) of mVEMP responses between children and young adults and to determine whether age influences these electrophysiological parameters. Methods: Sixty healthy participants (30 children aged 6–11 years and 30 adults aged 19–30 years) with normal audiovestibular function were assessed. mVEMP responses were elicited using 500 Hz tone bursts at 95 dBnHL delivered through insert earphones and recorded bilaterally from the masseter muscle using a zygomatic montage. Parameters analyzed included P11 and N21 latencies, P11–N21 peak-to-peak amplitude, and AAR. Results: All participants exhibited identifiable mVEMP responses. There were no significant interaural differences in any measure. Comparison across age groups revealed no significant difference in P11 latency or amplitude; however, N21 latency was significantly prolonged in children. The AAR did not differ between groups. Conclusion: mVEMP can be reliably recorded in both children and young adults. The observed N21 latency delay in children likely reflects maturational differences in the vestibulo–trigeminal pathway. These findings highlight the need for age-specific normative mVEMP data to support clinical interpretation in pediatric vestibular assessment.
Ghosh et al. (Wed,) studied this question.