[Effect of caloric stimulation of the vestibular apparatus on hearing function].

Changes of bone-conduction thresholds for tonal signals (250 and 2000 Hz) in each car due to caloric vestibular tests were studied in 60 healthy test subjects (32 men and 28 women). These changes were found in 48 subjects. In most cases perceptual thresholds decreased (by 7.3 dB on the average) and in few cases increased (by 8.3 dB on the average). The sign of alteration was independent of the tonal vestibular test or the number of examinations. The threshold returned to the norm for a long time (30 min or more). These findings suggest that the interaction may be governed by the principles that function in other sensory systems. It is recommended to carry out audiological examinations prior to vestibular tests in order to avoid distortions of the results.