Abstract: The presence of vestibular pathology is tested in an embodiment wherein the subject is placed on a support surface that is sway-referenced about an axis co-linear with the subject's ankle joints, if the subject is standing, or the subject's hip joints, if the subject is sitting. After the subject has assumed a position of equilibrium, a controlled external stimulus, such as an electrical, a caloric or a barometric stimulus, is applied to one or both of the subject's inner ears. It is then determined whether the stimulus produces a significant subject sway-response. In an alternative embodiment, the sway-response is monitored with the subject placed on a support surface that is sway-referenced about an axis perpendicular to the axis that is co-linear with the subject's ankle or hip joints. In another embodiment, the subject's visual orientation information is disrupted by means of a sway-referenced visual enclosure.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of perilymph fistula or other abnormal coupling between a subject's middle ear and inner ear. The subject is placed on a support surface that is sway-stabilized about an axis that is co-linear with the subject's ankle joints. After the subject has assumed a position in equilibrium, a controlled changed in air pressure is introduced to the external canal of one of the subject's ears. It is then determined whether the controlled change in pressure produces a significant subject sway response. In an alternative embodiment, the sway response is monitored with the subject placed on a support surface that is sway-stabilized about an axis that is perpendicular to the axis that is co-linear with the subject's ankle joints.