Abstract
Some individuals who have been exposed to infrasound have complained of subjective symptoms which seemed to be an offshoot of the changes in vestibular function. This study was undertaken in order to clarify the latter assumption by observing the change of mode of postural control upon subjecting to infrasound vis-a-vis noise exposure.
Thirty-four healthy males were subjected to a wide octave-band noise, 16 Hz and 5 Hz at 95 dB for 5 minutes. Their body sway was measured before and during exposure. The trace-length and the power percentage by spectral analysis were determined from their body sway.
Our present findings show that the mode of body sway was temporarily confused at the time of switchover from opening to closing of the subject's eyes in the pre-exposed condition. This confusion was inhibited by exposure to infrasound. No effects were however observed upon exposure to noise. These results are taken to suggest that the excitability of the vestibulum was accelerated upon exposure to infrasound, whether or not the subjects perceived any sensations.
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