Contemporary vestibular function testing: accomplishments and future perspectives

Abstract

The development of a standard test battery for the evaluation of vestibular function required a variety of preliminary investigations about the technical and physiologic foundations of the tests. The most important technologic development was the creation of computerized methods, including hardware and software capabilities. The designs of tests were based on physiologic and diagnostic considerations, as demonstrated in experiments on normal subjects and patients. Although time tested and sound, the available test battery satisfies only a limited number of requirements for comprehensive evaluation of vestibular function. This article describes the list of accomplishments, the state of the present limitations, and the needs for the future.