[Non-auditory effects of noise].

Non-auditory effects of noise involve several systems and functions, the most important of which are the cardiovascular, the vestibular and the psychic. Although several studies correlated noise exposure to some pathologies, like hypertension and anxiety disorders, and recent analysis carried out on cavy explained part of their pathophysiology, their multiple causes and the variability of individual reactions are still important limits to their classification.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and orthostatic hypotension.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between post-benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) dizziness and orthostatic hypotension (OH) using the head-up tilt test (HUTT).

Methods: Twenty-nine patients previously affected by BPPV and successfully underwent repositioning maneuvers were tested using the HUTT.

Results: Our data do not show a statistically significant relationship between OH and the persistence of balance disorders after recovery from BPPV; anyway the prevalence of OH in the overall sample (34%) and in subjects affected by balance disorders after recovery (40%), was higher than in the general population.