The reversible hearing loss in the nonoperated ear noted by patients after ear surgery remains unexplained. This study proposes that this hearing loss is caused by drill noise conducted to the nonoperated ear by vibrations of the intact skull. This noise exposure results in dysfunction of the outer hair cells, which may produce a temporary hearing loss. Estimations of outer hair cell function in the nonoperated ear were made by recording the change in amplitude of the distortion-product otoacoustic emissions before and during ear surgery. Reversible drill-related outer hair cell dysfunction was seen in 2 of 12 cases. The changes In outer hair cell function and their clinical implications are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
RobertsonDJohnstoneBMMcGillTJ.Effects of loud tones on the inner ear: A combined electrophysiological and ultrastructural study. Hear Res1980;2:39–53.
2.
2. LibermanMCMulroyMJ.Acute and chronic effects of acoustic trauma: Cochlear pathology and auditory nerve pathophysiology. In: HamernikRSalviR, editors. New perspectives on noise-induced hearing loss. New York: Raven Press;1982. p. 105–35.
3.
Lonsbury-MartinBLMartinGKProbstRCoatsAC.Acoustic distortion products in rabbit ear canal. Basic features and physiological vulnerability. Hear Res1987; 28: 173–89.
KempDT.Stimulated acoustic emissions from within the human auditory system. J Acoust Soc Am1978;64:1386–91.
6.
6. KempDT.Cochlear echoes: Implications for noise induced hearing loss. In: HamernikRPHendersonDSalviR, editors. New perspectives in noise induced hearing loss. New York: Raven Press;1982. p. 189–207.
7.
ZwickerE.Delayed evoked otoacoustic emissions and their suppression by gaussian shaped pressure impulses. Hear Res1983;11:359–71.
8.
SillarsHWhitfieldCFaganP.Hearing results after modified radical mastoid surgery. Aust J Otolaryngol1993;1:325–8.
9.
ClarkWWKimDOZurekPMBohneBA.Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions in chinchilla ear canals: Correlation with histopathology and suppression by external tones. Hear Res1984;16:229–314.
10.
StainbackRFLonsbury-MartinBLMartinGKCoatsAC.Noise damage and its relation to acoustic distortion product generation in the rabbit [abstract]. Assoc Res Otolaryngol1987;10:19.
11.
LawrenceRLJacklerRKChenDA.Contralateral hearing loss after neurootological surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1995;113:276–82.
12.
SchuknechtHFTonndorfJ.Acoustic trauma of the cochlea from ear surgery. Laryngoscope1960;71:479–505.
13.
KylenPArlingerS.Drill generated noise levels in ear surgery. Acta Otolaryngol1976;82:402–9.
14.
SoudijnER.Otologic drills—a possible acoustic danger. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1980;85:43–6.
15.
ParkinJLWoodGSWoodRDMcCandlessGA.Drill and suction generated noise in mastoid surgery. Arch Otolaryngol1980;106:92–6.
16.
16. da CruzMJ.Quantification of the fundamental mechanisms leading to cochlear hearing loss [master of medical science (physiology)]. University of Western Australia, Perth; 1994.
17.
da CruzMJ.Reversible suction and drill induced hearing loss in ear surgery. Aust J Otolaryngol1995;2:182–5.
18.
ZwislockiJ.Acoustic attenuation between ears. J Acoust Soc Am1953;25:752–9.
19.
FeldmanAS.Problems in the measurement of bone conduction. J Speech Hear Disord1961;26:39–44.
20.
StudebakerGA.Clinical masking of the non-test ear. J Speech Hear Disord1964;32:360–71.
21.
KylenPArlingerSDBergholtzLM.Perioperative temporary threshold shift in ear surgery. An electrocochleographic study. Acta Otolaryngol1977; 84: 393–40.
22.
HamernikRPTurrentineGRobertoMSalviRHendersonD.Anatomical correlates of impulse noise-induced mechanical damage in the cochlea. Hear Res1984;13:229–48.
23.
SuitsGWBrummettRENunleyJ.Effect of otological drill noise on ABR thresholds in a guinea pig model. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1993;109:660–7.
