Diagnosis
Many of the symptoms caused by Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome can be similar to those of other syndromes. As such, it is important to get a proper diagnosis from a specialist in order to rule out other possible causes.
A diagnosis usually involves having your family doctor/general practitioner refer you to an ENT (ear/nose/throat) doctor that specializes in Otology or Neurotology for a hearing assessment.
Typically, an ENT specialist will perform an audiogram hearing test and a VEMP test. If a dehiscence is suspected from the results, a CT scan may be required as well.
SCDS Diagnostic Criteria
The proposed SCDS diagnostic criteria requires one of the following symptoms:
- Auditory issues (hyperacusis or pulsatile tinnitus) caused by bone conduction
- Vestibular issues (vertigo or oscillopsia) caused by noise or pressure
Plus one of the following medical tests indicating SCDS:
- Uncontrollable eye movement caused by sound or pressure changes
- An audiogram test showing negative bone conduction
- A VEMP test indicating low cVEMP or high oVEMP results
And a high-resolution CT scan showing a dehiscence or thinning of the superior canal bone.