1988 Volume 34 Issue 6 Pages 1458-1481
We studied electrically induced stapedial reflex (ESR) in cases of Meniere's disease and its influence on equilibratory and acoustic functions. 1. The electrical stimulus applied to the external auditory canal was a 0.01 msec width pulse discharged at the rate of 25Hz, with the electric current being between 60-90V. No significant difference was found in the positive rate of ESR between cases with Meniere's disease and the normal control group. 2. Concerning the equilibratory function, 26 normal subjects and 43 subjects with Meniere's disease were examined while standing upright on a forceplate. The lateral body sway during and after electrical stimulation for five seconds was summated ten times with a signal processor. Remarkable shift or increase in body sway (positive reaction) was observed during the electrical stimulation in 57.6% of the Meniere's cases, while in the normal group, positive reaction was observed in 26.9%. 3. Intermittent electrical stimulation was applied to six cases with advanced Meniere's disease. The manipulations were repeated once a week for more than 10 weeks. As a result, a slight improvement in hearing in four cases, and improvement in tinnitus in three cases was found, without any problems. According to the results mentioned above, the author discussed diagnostic and therapeutic significance of nonacoustical stapedial reflex in Meniere's disease.
