Apparatus and method for determining the presence of vestibular perilymph fistulae and other abnormal coupling between the air-filled middle ear and the fluid-filled inner ear

摘要

A method for determining the presence of perilymph fistula or other abnormal coupling between a subject's middle ear and inner ear. The subject is placed on a support surface that is sway-stabilized about an axis that is co-linear with the subject's ankle joints. After the subject has assumed a position in equilibrium, a controlled changed in air pressure is introduced to the external canal of one of the subject's ears. It is then determined whether the controlled change in pressure produces a significant subject sway response. In an alternative embodiment, the sway response is monitored with the subject placed on a support surface that is sway-stabilized about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis that is co-linear with the subject's ankle joints.