Human equilibrium was measured during exposure to continuous and intermittent 1000-Hz tones presented both asymmetrically (one ear) and symmetrically (both ears). Intermittency combined with asymmetry produced greater decrements in equilibrium than either variable alone. The results are interpreted as a possible demonstration of acoustic stimulation of the vestibular system.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdesH. W.Orientation in space. Benox Report: An exploratory study of the biological effects of noise. ONR Project NR 144079, Univer. of Chicago, December, 1953.
2.
von BekesyG.RosenblithW. A.The mechanical properties of the ear. In StevensS. S. (Ed.), Handbook of experimental psychologyNew York: Wiley, 1951. Pp. 1105–1107.
3.
Benox Report: An exploratory study of the biological effects of noise. ONR Project NR 144079, Univer. of Chicago, December, 1953.
4.
von GierkeH. E.DavisH.EldredgeD. H.HardyJ. D.Aural pain produced by sound. Benox Report: An exploratory study of the biological effects of noise. ONR Project 144079, Univer. of Chicago, December, 1953.
5.
GraybielA.FregleyA. R.A new quantitative ataxia test battery. BuMed Project MR 005.13–6001, Subtask 1, Report No. 107 and NASA Order No. R-37, Naval School of Aviation Medicine, Pensacola, Florida, 1963.
6.
HarrisC. S.Effects of acoustic stimuli on the vestibular system. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, 1971. (AMRL-TR-71-58).
7.
HarrisC. S.von GierkeH. E.The effects of high intensity noise on human equilibrium. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, 1967. (AMRL-TR-67-41).
8.
HarrisC. S.SommerH. C.Human equilibrium during acoustic stimulation by discrete frequencies. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, 1968. (AMRL-TR-68-7).
9.
NixonC. W.HarrisC. S.von GierkeH. E.Rail test to evaluate equilibrium in low-level wideband noise. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, 1966. (AMRL-TR-66-85).
10.
ParkerD. E.Von GierkeH. E.Vestibular nerve response to pressure changes in the external auditory meatus of the guinea pig. Acta Otolaryn., 1971, 71, 456–461.
11.
ParkerD. E.Von GierkeH. E.ReschkeM.Studies of acoustical stimulation of the vestibular system. Aerospace Medicine, 1968, 39, 1321–1325.
12.
SommerH. C.HarrisC. S.Comparative effects of auditory and extra-auditory acoustic stimulation on human equilibrium and motor performance. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, 1970. (AMRL-TR-70-26).
