Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the place of chronic otitis media in the etiology of bening paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Material and Method: Who had presented with vertigo, positive Dix-Halpike test and who had been diagnosed with BPPV, 234 patients were included in the study. The findings of ear examinations were recorded, particularly questioning for previous ear diseases and surgery, and evaluated for middle ear pathology.

Results: The ages of the patients were between 18 and 75 years and the mean age was 49,16±11,76 years. Patients consisting of 148 (63,2%) were female and 86 (36,7%) were male. The right ear was affected in 143 patients (61,1%), the left ear was affected in 89 patients (38%), and the ears of 2 patients (0,8%) were affected bilaterally. In the evaluation performed for etiology according to history, the symptoms were: post-traumatic in 12 patients (5.1%), following an upper respiratory tract infection in 3 patients (1.2%), following post-operative long term bed rest in 2 patients (0.8%) and following septoplasty operation in 1 patient (0.4%). However, in 216 patients (%92.3), no etiological cause was found. In the ear examination of the patients, all of the tympanic membranes were observed to be intact. Chronic otitis media was observed in none of the 234 patients (a total of 468 ears).

Conclusion: The absence of findings in the history and physical examination of chronic otitis media in patients determined with BPPV suggested reviewing the role of chronic otitis media in the etiology of BPPV.