OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF REDUCTION IN EARN ING CAPACITY DUE TO VESTIBULAR DEFICITS

Background: Even for experienced examiners quantitative and objective medicolegal assessment of vestibular vertigo is difficult. Current med icolegal opinions place disproportionate emphasis on subjective sympto ms, Methods: Based on parameters from spontaneous and provoked vestibu lar nystagmus with Frenzel's glasses, objective criterias for adequate medicolegal assessment of vestibular disorders are presented. Diagram s in tabular form for unilateral and bilateral vestibular dysfunction and benign peripheral positional vertigo allow assessment of reduction in earning capacity. Conclusions: The widespread use of subjective cr iteria in the medicolegal evaluation of vestibular complaints should n ot be accepted. The qualified ENT specialist is able to evaluate vesti bular deficits using objective and reproducible methods.