High-Frequency Vibration as a Vestibular Stimulus: From Jerk-Rich Physiology to Clinical Applications

High-frequency bone-conducted vibration (BCV) and skull vibration-induced nystagmus (SVIN) are widely used to probe vestibular function, yet their physical nature and physiological targets remain incompletely defined. In particular, the relationship between vibration physics and jerk, the time derivative of acceleration, and their relevance to vestibular activation has not been systematically explored....

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Clinicians performing vestibular diagnostics should note that skull vibration-induced nystagmus (SVIN) via bone-conducted vibration is an emerging, low-cost bedside tool for lateralizing vestibular asymmetries, though standardization of protocols is still evolving.

High-frequency bone-conducted vibration offers a potentially accessible and non-invasive vestibular diagnostic stimulus that could complement or simplify current test batteries for vestibular disorders.

1. 01Bone-conducted vibration (BCV) at high frequencies acts as a vestibular stimulus, triggering nystagmus (eye movements).
2. 02Skull vibration-induced nystagmus (SVIN) can help identify which side of the balance system is affected.
3. 03The review covers both the underlying physiology and clinical diagnostic applications.
4. 04Published in Audiology and Neurotology, a peer-reviewed audiology journal.
5. 05BCV-based testing may be a low-cost bedside complement to existing vestibular tests.

PMID

42700429

DOI

10.1159/aud/abnag008.

Journal

Audiology and Neurotology

Publication type

review

Evidence level

5

Population

Patients undergoing vestibular evaluation; review of prior studies using BCV and SVIN

Intervention

High-frequency bone-conducted vibration (BCV) as a vestibular stimulus