The occurrence of the Tullio phenomenon in congenitally deaf children

J Laryngol Otol. 1976 Jun;90(6):501-7. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100082396.

Abstract

One hundred and fifty deaf children between 5 and 16 years old of the 'Rudolf Mees' Institute were investigated in search of the Tullio phenomenon with nystagmus as a criterion. Seventy-six out of those 300 ears were positive. A functioning (calorically excitable) pars superior of the labyrinth was a 'conditio sine qua non' for this reflex. We may assume that deaf ears which show a positive Tullio phenomenon have a labyrinthine pathology of the Mondini-Alexander type and that this symptom is a pathologic one.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Deafness / congenital*
  • Deafness / physiopathology
  • Ear, Inner / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nystagmus, Pathologic / physiopathology*
  • Rabbits
  • Reflex
  • Sound*
  • Vibration