Computerized analysis of the caloric response.

Caloric responses from 50 consecutive patients, referred routinely for investigation of hearing and/or balance problems, were evaluated by computer and manual methods of analysis. Using measures of nystagmic slow-phase velocity, there was found to be a high degree of correlation between the two methods. Of the 50 patients, the manual method of analysis identified 20 as having abnormal caloric patterns. All of these patients (and an additional 3) were similarly identified by the computer method. The computerized technique was found to be effective, even in the evaluation of irregular signals, making it suitable for use in the clinical situation. Since no decision making on the part of the Operator is required, the method described is considered to be a significant advance in computerized methods of analysis of nystagmic slow-phase velocity.