[Otoneurological and biochemical research on the drivers of motor vehicles]

The aim of the study is to follow up the changes in auditory and vestibular systems, common interactions between the sensory systems and the changes in some biochemical indices after vestibular loading in drivers. Several groups of drivers of heavy freight trucks were studied, aged from 25-60 and a length of service from 5 to 30 years, according to a standard programme for otoneurological examination and application of modern otoneurological methods. The biochemical investigations were performed to 32 healthy and 19 sick drivers with vestibular disorders, prior to and post vestibular provocation. The following biochemical indices were studied: serotonin, histamine, cholinesterase activity, glucose, GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, potassium, sodium, chlorides, inorganic phosphorus. The biochemical changes, associated with vestibular loading of organism were established not to be strongly manifested and coming out of the frames of the normal values, nevertheless, they are significant for a given subject and should not be neglected. The data are of importance in the vocational selection of driver-applicants, prophylaxis and treatment of those working under stress situations and extreme impacts.