Tullio Phenomenon and Postural Stability: Experimental Study in Normal Subjects and Patients with Vertigo

Abstract

The effect of low-frequency sound (LFS) on postural stability was studied in 55 healthy volunteers and in 152 patients with vertigo due to different types of inner ear disease. The sound pressure levels ranged from 130 to 132 dB and were given at frequencies of 25, 50, and 63 Hz. The duration of each stimulation lasted 30 seconds. The postural responses were measured with a force platform. The LFS stimulation improved the postural stability of the healthy subjects through the alerting response. We did not observe any difference in the body sway according to whether the LFS was delivered with monaural or binaural stimulation. Twenty-six percent of the patients with Meniere's disease, 40% with chronic otitis media with vertigo, and 26% with vertigo of peripheral origin experienced significant postural instability at least at two of the three test frequencies during stimulation with LFS. The results demonstrate that in subjects with different types of inner ear disease the vestibular system starts to respond to LFS. The activation of vestibulospinal responses by LFS seems to be an expression of the Tullio phenomenon.

Cochlear and Vestibular Functional Study in Patients with Sudden Deafness and Lyme Disease

“…It was present in 38% of patients with LD and in 41% patients with ISD. Ishizaki et al (1991) have reported that vertigo was the predominant symptom in patients with confirmed LD. In the majority of the cases, the disease resembles vestibular neuronitis in the acute stage [17].…”

“…Ishizaki et al (1991) have reported that vertigo was the predominant symptom in patients with confirmed LD. In the majority of the cases, the disease resembles vestibular neuronitis in the acute stage [17]. Other studies have reported that the incidence of seropositivity against B. Burgdorferi among the vertigo patients did not differ from the incidence of the normal population [11].…”

Randomized Double Blind Comparative Study Comparing Efficacy of Granisetron and Ondansetron for the Prophylactic Control of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Patients Undergoing Middle Ear Surgery

“…These vibrations may act in the same way as infrasound on the vestibular system. It has been shown that low-frequency sound stimulation provokes postural instability in patients undergoing surgery for chronic otitis media [9]. Irrigation with colder saline sets up thermal currents in the labyrinthine in one direction.…”

Non-Lethal Swimmer Neutralization Study

“…Generally, the Tullio effect has been observed in patients with abnormal development of the vestibular system, or in victims of head trauma. 287,288,312 Researchers in Finland 312 measured the effect of exposure to 30 seconds of very low frequency sound (25, 50 and 63 Hz tones) at 130-132 dB (air). Subjects were divided into two groups: normal and those with vertigo.…”