Occupational noise induced vestibular malfunction ?

This paper comprises a review of the evidence for the possibility that exposure to noise may damage the vestibular receptors in the internal ear as well as those in the cochlea. The review covers lay and medical publications, observations on patients, experimental studies, and compensation claims. It concludes that the verdict must be "not proven"-that is, although such damage is possible, the evidence is not strong enough to regard it as probable. In respect of occupational noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), vertigo is not covered in either the United Kingdom Department of Social Security scheme for "occupational deafness" or in any schemes governed by contract law in the United Kingdom. To the best of our knowledge, no common law judgements exist in which vertigo has been attributed to occupational noise exposure and in which damages have accordingly been awarded. Nevertheless, the question not infrequently arises in particular cases as to whether industrial noise may have damaged the vestibular part of the internal ear as well as the cochlea and thus accounts for a variety of complaints of persistent or recurrent vestibular symptoms. The present paper comprises a review of the evidence for possible noise induced vestibular disorders.