Pharmacologists are among the most recent basic medical scientists to apply themselves to the auditory and vestibular systems. They bring to the subject a fresh perspective and, uniquely, the ability to control biological processes through drugs. Interest in the auditory and vestibular systems among pharmacologists has focussed on: the drug-sensitive processes (primarily but not exclusively neuro-transmission); toxicology, and pharmacotherapy. Pharmacology holds the promise of shedding further light on auditory and vestibular function and ameliorating auditory and vestibular dysfunction.