This study discusses early vestibular compensation in man. Fifty-five patients suffering from acute vestibular lesions were clinically followed up over six months. More than 450 examinations were carried out, using several subtests such as observation of spontaneous, position, and positional nystagmus with Frenzel's glasses, and registrations of pendular rotation test and bilateral bithermal calories using electrooculography. The results were calculated and recorded on graphs to permit estimation of the influence of vestibular compensation on the features examined. In 71%, i.e., in 39 of the 55 patients, the side of hypoexcitability, the direction of spontaneous nystagmus, direction of preponderance, and deviation in Unterberger's stepping test changed from left to right and vice versa during compensation. It was not possible to discover a homogeneous time-course of compensation. The results have to be considered with respect to the evaluation of vestibular findings, especially in preoperative examinations to locate vestibular disturbances. The article proposes a graduated time schedule for follow-up examinations.
