Effects of the Ovarian and Contraceptive Cycles on Absolute Thresholds,Auditory Fatigue and Recovery from Temporary Threshold Shifts at 4 and 6 kHz

Absolute thresholds at 4 and 6 kHz were tested in three sessions before and after 20 min of exposure to 105 dB(A) pink noise in 12 young normal-cycling females, 11 young females on oral contraceptives and 8 young men. Women on contraceptives showed lower resting thresholds, larger temporary threshold shift (TTS) and higher recovery rates than normal-cycling females. The analysis of resting thresholds, auditory fatigue and recovery from auditory fatigue did not evidence any sex-linked difference. Significant differences linked to the phases of the menstrual cycle and of the contraceptive cycle were observed during recovery from auditory fatigue at 4 kHz and in resting thresholds at 6 kHz. Application of Kendall's coefficient of concordance confirmed these results. Absolute thresholds were highest at menstruation and lowest in the postovulatory phase in normal-cycling females and in women on oral contraceptives, during the days of pill ingestion. Oral contraception is probably a more important factor of change in hearing performance than the phases of the menstrual cycle.     

Effects of the ovarian and contraceptive cycles on absolute thresholds, auditory fatigue and recovery from temporary threshold shifts at 4 and 6 kHz

Absolute thresholds at 4 and 6 kHz were tested in three sessions before and after 20 min of exposure to 105 dB(A) pink noise in 12 young normal-cycling females, 11 young females on oral contraceptives and 8 young men. Women on contraceptives showed lower resting thresholds, larger temporary threshold shift (TTS) and higher recovery rates than normal-cycling females. The analysis of resting thresholds, auditory fatigue and recovery from auditory fatigue did not evidence any sex-linked difference. Significant differences linked to the phases of the menstrual cycle and of the contraceptive cycle were observed during recovery from auditory fatigue at 4 kHz and in resting thresholds at 6 kHz. Application of Kendall's coefficient of concordance confirmed these results. Absolute thresholds were highest at menstruation and lowest in the postovulatory phase in normal-cycling females and in women on oral contraceptives, during the days of pill ingestion. Oral contraception is probably a more important factor of change in hearing performance than the phases of the menstrual cycle.     

Longitudinal study of pure-tone thresholds in older persons

OBJECTIVE: Pure-tone thresholds for conventional and extended high frequencies were analyzed for 188 older adult human subjects (91 females, 97 males). The objectives were to study longitudinal changes in thresholds as well as the effects of initial threshold levels, age, gender, and noise history on these longitudinal changes. DESIGN: At the time of entry into the study, subjects' ages ranged from 60 to 81 years, with a mean age of 68 years. Subjects had between 2 and 21 visits (mean = 9.81 visits) over a period of 3 to 11.5 years (mean = 6.40 years). Conventional pure-tone thresholds at 0.25 to 8 kHz were measured during most visits. Extended high-frequency (EHF) thresholds at 9 to 18 kHz were measured every 2 to 3 years. The slope of a linear regression was used to estimate the rate of change in pure-tone thresholds at 0.25 to 18 kHz for each ear. A questionnaire was used to identify those subjects with a positive noise history. RESULTS: The average rate of change in thresholds was 0.7 dB per year at 0.25 kHz, increasing gradually to 1.2 dB per year at 8 kHz and 1.23 dB per year at 12 kHz. The rate of change for thresholds increased significantly with age, at 0.25 to 3, 10, and 11 kHz for females and at 6 kHz for males. After adjusting for age, females had a significantly slower rate of change at 1 kHz but a significantly faster rate of change at 6 to 12 kHz than males. For 0.25 and 1 kHz, subjects with more hearing loss at higher frequencies had a faster rate of change at these frequencies, whereas for 6 and 8 kHz, subjects with more hearing loss at mid and high frequencies had a slower rate of change at these frequencies. The rates of threshold change for subjects with a positive noise history were not statistically different from those with a negative noise history. CONCLUSIONS: On average, hearing threshold increased approximately 1 dB per year for subjects age 60 and over. Age, gender, and initial threshold levels can affect the rate of change in thresholds. Older female subjects (> or =70 years) had faster rate of change at 0.25 to 3, 10, and 11 kHz than younger female subjects (60 to 69 years). Older male subjects had faster rate of change at 6 kHz than younger male subjects. Females had a slower rate of change at 1 kHz and a faster rate of change at 6 to 12 kHz than males. Subjects with higher initial thresholds at low and mid frequencies tended to have faster rate of threshold change at 0.25 to 2 kHz in the following years. Subjects with higher initial thresholds at mid and higher frequencies tended to have slower rate of change at 6 to 8 kHz in the following years. Noise history did not have a significant effect on the rate of threshold changes.     

高频听力损失对豚鼠低频区时间分辨率的影响

目的 构建豚鼠高频听力损失模型,通过听觉惊跳反射前抑制方法观察高频听力损失后,低频区时间分辨率的变化.方法 采用简单随机法将豚鼠分为实验组(6只)和对照组(4只),实验组暴露于声压级110 dB的12 kHz纯音下30 h,建立8 kHz以上听力损失模型,对照组未作处理.于噪声暴露前、暴露后2周、4周、6周及8周等五个时间点进行听觉惊跳反射前抑制试验和听觉脑干反应(ABR)测试.在听觉惊跳反射前抑制试验中,选用0.5～2 kHz,0.5～4 kHz和0.5～8 kHz三种背景噪音频率(均在听敏度正常的低频段)来观察低频区时间分辨率的变化.结果 噪声暴露后2周,实验组动物呈现8 kHz以上频率陡降型高频听力损失,在16 kHz、32 kHz和48 kHz频率均有平均55 dB的阈移,与声暴露前相比差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05),而1 kHz、2 kHz、4 kHz和8 kHz在噪音暴露前后差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05).在8周的实验期内,实验组高频听力损失仍然存在.对照组豚鼠所有频率的听敏度在实验期内各个时间点差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05).实验组在8 kHz的背景噪音下,声暴露后第2周抑制能力减弱,与暴露前相比差异具有统计学意义(P=0.036),其余时间点和暴露前相比差异无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05);在4 kHz的背景噪音下,声暴露后所有时间点的抑制能力与暴露前相比差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05);在2 kHz的背景噪音下,声暴露后第6周、第8周抑制能力降低,与暴露前相比差异具有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05).结论 高频听力损失可降低正常低频区的时间分辨率.

Abstract：

Objective To constitute the animal model of high frequency hearing loss and observer the temporal processing abilities of low frequency regions using prepulse inhibition of auditory startle response (gap-PPI).Methods Ten guinea pigs were randomly grouped into two groups: the high frequency hearing loss group with six guinea pigs and the control group with four guinea pigs.The former group was exposed to 12 kHz tone at 110 dB SPL for 30 hours to establish the high frequency hearing loss above 8 kHz and the latter group received no stimuations.Before and two,four,six and eight weeks after noise exposure,gapPPI and auditory brainstem response (ABR) were recorded in both groups.In the gap-PPI experiment,three different background noises as 0.5-2 kHz,0.5-4 kHz and 0.5-8 kHz were applied to test the temporal gap.Results High frequency hearing loss above 8 kHz was shown two weeks after noise exposure.The averaged ABR thresholds of 16 kHz,32 kHz and 48 kHz were elevated about 55 dB and shown statistical significance compared to those before exposure (P ＜ 0.05＝.No significant difference of ABR thresholds were shown between 1 kHz,2 kHz,4 kHz and 8kHz before and after noise exposure(P ＞0.05).In the control group,the ABR thresholds remained stable during experiment.In the gap-PPI test,two weeks after noise exposure of 8 kHz,the experiment group showed attenuated inhibition ability and recovered gradually four weeks after noise exposure.No statistical differences of inhibition ability at time points of two,four,six and eight weeks after noise exposure of 4 kHz were detected when compared with that of pre-exposure.Under the background noise of 2 kHz,the inhibition ability attenuated and reached statistical significance at 6-8 weeks after noise exposure.Conclusion The high frequency hearing loss might induce an impairment of the temporal processing in the low frequency region.     

Development of resistance to hearing loss from high frequency noise.

The effect of interrupted exposure on the development of progressive resistance to hearing loss from exposure to high frequency noise was studied using monaural chinchillas. The animals were exposed to an octave band noise centered at 4 kHz at 85 dB SPL for 6 h a day for ten consecutive days. Hearing thresholds were measured using evoked potential recording before and after each exposure. Results indicated a reduction in threshold shift with repeated exposures. This reduction in threshold shift or 'toughening' was more rapid for the high frequency exposures than the 'toughening' from similar low frequency exposures.     

Changes in pure-tone thresholds and temporary threshold shifts as a function of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives

The present study examined the effects of exogenous and endogenous ovarian hormones on auditory functioning in young women. Fluctuations in pure tone thresholds and temporary threshold shifts (TTS) at 4 kHz and 6 kHz were assessed across the menstrual cycle. A group of normally cycling, ovulatory women and a group of women using Ortho Novum 7/7/7, a tri-phasic oral contraceptive, were tested during menstruation, at ovulation, and during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. A group of men served as controls and were tested at 3 similarly spaced intervals. Only the normally cycling women had significant cyclic fluctuations in auditory sensitivity, displaying poorer thresholds at 4 kHz during the menstrual phase than at the time of ovulation or during the luteal phase. In addition, normally cycling women were found to have significantly less TTS at 6 kHz during the menstrual phase than women using oral contraceptives.     

High-frequency air-conduction and electric bone-conduction audiometry. Age and sex variations.

208 subjects representing both sexes and five age groups (15-70 years) were examined to obtain age-related threshold values for high-frequency (HF) electric bone-conduction (EBC) audiometry. The measurements also included conventional pure-tone audiometry and air-conduction (AC) HF (8-18 kHz) audiometry. The measured EBC thresholds were comparable to the values obtained with AC audiometers, and were equal to ISO standards at the frequencies of 0.5-6 kHz. The 15- and 20-year-old groups' EBC thresholds at 8 kHz were equivalent to thresholds of 15-year-old people from a cross-sectional material in Northern Finland. Thresholds deteriorated as a function of age, particularly in the HF range. The males had poorer thresholds than the females, especially in the age groups of 40 and 60 years. This could be attributed mainly to their greater noise exposure. The EBC method is quite practical and reliable for routine clinical measurements, but the dynamic range of the audiometer limits its use to relatively young subjects.     

Characteristics of temporary noise-induced tinnitus in male and female subjects

Reversible tinnitus was induced in 10 male and 8 female normal-hearing subjects following a 5 min 110 dB SPL exposure to white noise. Temporary threshold shift (TTS) was measured at 2 and 4 kHz. Characteristics of the tinnitus were determined by means of a written questionnaire administered 5 min following termination of the noise. Most of the subjects experienced a continuous tonal tinnitus of moderate loudness. Characterization of the tinnitus regarding spectral quality, type of sound, and perceived location differed as a function of gender. No difference in TTS measured at 2 and 4 kHz was seen as a function of gender. Positive relationships of fair to moderate strength were revealed between pre-exposure thresholds, TTS, and tinnitus pitch and level.     

Noise-induced hearing loss in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

Hearing loss was investigated in normotensive (N) and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats after prolonged exposure to a simulated industrial noise environment. Exposure was initiated in a group of young rats (3 months old) and continued up to 18 months of age, and in a group of old rats (15 months old) and followed up to 18 months of age. Hearing thresholds were determined behaviorally with a conditioned suppression technique before and after 1, 2, 3 and, for some groups, also after 15 months of exposure. A frequency-modulated noise band sweeping from 3 to 30 kHz at a frequency of 0.5 Hz was presented 10 hours daily at a level of 100 dB L_eq (lin). The results showed that young N and SH rats not exposed to noise had identical hearing thresholds. Noise exposure induced a significantly greater hearing loss in SH rats than in N rats; SH animals were more susceptible to noise than were young ones; no difference was seen between males and females. The histology of the inner ears of the rats was examined by light microscopy after the end of the experiment. The young noise-exposed N rats showed no abnormal loss of hair cells in spite of the fact that they sustained hearing losses of 30–40 dB. The SH rats showed a significantly greater loss of hair cells than did the N rats. The stereocilia were found to be fused on a large number of inner hair cells in the basal turns of both N and SH animals. It was concluded that SH and N rats constitute an interesting model for the investigation of biological mechanisms behind individual differences in susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss.     

Effects of repeated "benign" noise exposures in young CBA mice: shedding light on age-related hearing loss

Temporary hearing threshold shift (TTS) resulting from a "benign" noise exposure can cause irreversible auditory nerve afferent terminal damage and retraction. While hearing thresholds and acute tissue injury recover within 1-2 weeks after a noise overexposure, it is not clear if multiple TTS noise exposures would result in cumulative damage even though sufficient TTS recovery time is provided. Here, we tested whether repeated TTS noise exposures affected permanent hearing thresholds and examined how that related to inner ear histopathology. Despite a peak 35-40 dB TTS 24 hours after each noise exposure, a double dose (2 weeks apart) of 100 dB noise (8-16 kHz) exposures to young (4-week-old) CBA mice resulted in no permanent threshold shifts (PTS) and abnormal distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). However, although auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds recovered fully in once- and twice-exposed animals, the growth function of ABR wave 1( p-p ) amplitude (synchronized spiral ganglion cell activity) was significantly reduced to a similar extent, suggesting that damage resulting from a second dose of the exposure was not proportional to that observed after the initial exposure. Estimate of surviving inner hair cell afferent terminals using immunostaining of presynaptic ribbons revealed ribbon loss of ～ 40 % at the ～ 23 kHz region after the first round of noise exposure, but no additional loss of ribbons after the second exposure. In contrast, a third dose of the same noise exposure resulted in not only TTS, but also PTS even in regions where DPOAEs were not affected. The pattern of PTS seen was not entirely tonotopically related to the noise band used. Instead, it resembled more to that of age-related hearing loss, i.e., high frequency hearing impairment towards the base of the cochlea. Interestingly, after a 3rd dose of the noise exposure, additional loss of ribbons (another ≈ 25 %) was observed, suggesting a cumulative detrimental effect from individual "benign" noise exposures, which should result in a significant deficit in central temporal processing.     

Longitudinal threshold changes in older men with audiometric notches

Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is a multifactorial process that results chiefly from the accumulating effects of noise damage and aging on the cochlea. Noise damage is typically evidenced clinically by a discrete elevation (notch) of the auditory thresholds in the 3-6 kHz region of the audiogram whereas aging affects the highest frequencies first. To determine whether the presence of such high-frequency notches influences auditory aging, we examined the 15 year change in audiometric thresholds in 203 men from the Framingham Heart Study cohort. The mean age at the first hearing test was 64 years (range 58-80). Occupational and recreational noise exposure over the 15 years was assumed to be minimal due to the age of the subjects. The presence or absence of a notch was determined using a piecewise linear/parabolic curve fitting strategy. A discrete elevation of the pure-tone thresholds of 15-34 dB in the 3-6 kHz region was deemed a small notch (N1), and elevations of 35 dB or greater were deemed large notches (N2). Absence of a notch (N0) was encoded those ears with <15 dB elevation in the 3-6 kHz region. The presence and absence of notches correlated with the subjects' history of noise exposure. The 15 year pattern of change in age-adjusted pure-tone thresholds varied significantly by notch category. There was less change over time in the notch frequencies (3-6 kHz) and significantly greater change in the adjacent frequency of 2 kHz in the N2 group as compared to the N0 and N1 groups. The adjacent frequency of 8 kHz showed a significant, but smaller, change in the N1 group as compared to the N0 and N2 groups. The change at 2 kHz was independent of the starting hearing level at E15, whereas the changes at 4-8 kHz were influenced by the hearing level at E15. These data suggest that the noise-damaged ear does not 'age' at the same rate as the non-noise damaged ear. The finding of increased loss at 2 kHz suggests that the effects of noise damage may continue long after the noise exposure has stopped. The mechanism for this finding is unknown but presumably results from prior noise-induced damage to the cochlea.     

EFFECTS OF MODERATE NOISE EXPOSURE ON HEARING FUNCTION IN C57BL/6J MICE

Objective To study characteristics of hearing loss after exposure to moderate noise exposure in C57BL/6J mice. Methods Male C57BL/6J mice with normal hearing at age of 5-6 weeks were chosen for this study. The mice were randomly sclccted to be studied immediately after exposure （Group P0）, or 1 day （Group P1）, 3 days （Group P3）, 7 day （Group P7） or 14 days （P14） after exposure. Their before exposure condition served as the normal control. All mice were exposed to a broad-band white noise at 100 dB SPL for 2 hours, ABR thresholds were used to estimate hearing status at each time point. Results ABR threshold elevation was seen at every tested frequency at P0 （P〈0.01）. Elevation at high-frequencies （16 kHz and 32 kHz） was greater than at lower frequencies （4 kHz and 8 kHz, P〈0.05）. From P1 to P14, ABR thresholds continuously improved, and there was no significant difference between P14 and before exposure （P〉0.05）. Conclusion There is a frequency specific re- sponse to 100 dB SPL broad-band white noise in C57BL/6J mice, with the high-frequency being more susceptible. Hearing loss induced by moderate noise exposure appears reversible in C57BL/6J mice.     

Susceptibility to noise exposure during postnatal development in rats

Susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss was studied during maturation in 20 female pigmented rats (strain Long-Evans). Young rats, 3, 4, 5 and 6-7 weeks old, were exposed for 1 h to a broad-band noise with an intensity of 120 dB SPL. The thresholds and amplitudes of middle latency responses (MLR) recorded from electrodes implanted on the surface of the auditory cortex were analyzed before and after noise exposure. The results were compared with data from our previous study, in which the effects of broad-band noise exposure on MLR were investigated in adult rats [Syka, J. and Rybalko, N. (2000) Hear. Res. 139, 59-68]. The hearing thresholds of 3-7 week old rats before noise exposure were within the normal adult range. Noise exposure in young rats produced an adult-like pattern with an elevation of hearing thresholds. One-two weeks post-exposure a recovery of MLR thresholds was observed, though full recovery only occurred in the low frequency range. Recovery of hearing thresholds in the high frequency range depended on the age of the animal at the time of exposure. In all animals aged less that 6-7 weeks, exposure resulted in a permanent threshold shift in the range of 4-32 kHz. The mean values of permanent threshold shifts at 16 kHz (the frequency of maximal hearing loss) were 53.0+/-4.5, 47.6+/-9.6, 37.5+/-7.5 and 27+/-10 dB for rats exposed at 3, 4, 5 and 6-7 weeks of age, respectively. Similar to adult rats, young rats exposed to noise exhibited an enhancement of MLR amplitudes. This amplitude enhancement was more pronounced in the high frequency range. In several rats exposed at 3-5 weeks of age, the recovery period to normal amplitudes was substantially prolonged and lasted 4-8 weeks in comparison with 1-2 weeks in adult rats. These results demonstrate a greater susceptibility to noise exposure in rats during the first 5 postnatal weeks.     

Altered susceptibility of 2f1-f2 acoustic-distortion products to the effects of repeated noise exposure in rabbits

Hearing sensitivity and the generation of acoustic-distortion products at 2f1-f2 were examined systematically in behaviorally trained rabbits, before, during, and following regular exposure to a 95-dB SPL octave band of noise, centered at 1 kHz. During the exposure period, the octave-band noise was interrupted once every 24 h in order to monitor the progressive loss in auditory function using tests of behavioral threshold and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). When low-frequency DPOAEs from 1-4 kHz diminished to noise-floor levels, i.e., when their amplitudes were reduced by about 20-30 dB, the exposure was terminated. Subsequent recovery of behavioral thresholds and DPOAE amplitudes and detection 'thresholds' was evaluated at regular intervals over a 3-week post-exposure period. Following the recovery period, the rabbits again received the identical exposure/recovery treatment until a permanent 10 dB or greater loss in DPOAE amplitudes was achieved for any point of measurement between 2-10 kHz. The primary result was that the number of days of overstimulation required for rabbits to reach the criterion loss in DPOAE amplitudes increased for each successive exposure session. In addition, DPOAEs accurately tracked the frequency pattern described by the behavioral threshold shifts during both the development and recovery stages of exposure.     

Auditory brainstem responses predict auditory nerve fiber thresholds and frequency selectivity in hearing impaired chinchillas

Noninvasive auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) are commonly used to assess cochlear pathology in both clinical and research environments. In the current study, we evaluated the relationship between ABR characteristics and more direct measures of cochlear function. We recorded ABRs and auditory nerve (AN) single-unit responses in seven chinchillas with noise-induced hearing loss. ABRs were recorded for 1-8 kHz tone burst stimuli both before and several weeks after 4 h of exposure to a 115 dB SPL, 50 Hz band of noise with a center frequency of 2 kHz. Shifts in ABR characteristics (threshold, wave I amplitude, and wave I latency) following hearing loss were compared to AN-fiber tuning curve properties (threshold and frequency selectivity) in the same animals. As expected, noise exposure generally resulted in an increase in ABR threshold and decrease in wave I amplitude at equal SPL. Wave I amplitude at equal sensation level (SL), however, was similar before and after noise exposure. In addition, noise exposure resulted in decreases in ABR wave I latency at equal SL and, to a lesser extent, at equal SPL. The shifts in ABR characteristics were significantly related to AN-fiber tuning curve properties in the same animal at the same frequency. Larger shifts in ABR thresholds and ABR wave I amplitude at equal SPL were associated with greater AN threshold elevation. Larger reductions in ABR wave I latency at equal SL, on the other hand, were associated with greater loss of AN frequency selectivity. This result is consistent with linear systems theory, which predicts shorter time delays for broader peripheral frequency tuning. Taken together with other studies, our results affirm that ABR thresholds and wave I amplitude provide useful estimates of cochlear sensitivity. Furthermore, comparisons of ABR wave I latency to normative data at the same SL may prove useful for detecting and characterizing loss of cochlear frequency selectivity.     

Eighth-nerve action potentials evoked by tone bursts in cats before and after inducement of an acute noise trauma

Properties of eighth-nerve action potentials (AP) evoked by single-frequency tone-bursts (test tone) were studied in cats. Curves representing AP threshold as a function of test-tone frequency have a shape similar to behavioral and single-fiber threshold curves. The absolute level of AP thresholds is higher than that of behavioral and single-fiber thresholds. Cats were exposed to broad-band noise (equal intensities per octave) halfway into the experiments. This exposure resulted in a long-term temporary threshold shift (TTS) which remained fairly steady during the measurements. APs were measured before and during an acute noise trauma in the same animal. After inducement of the trauma the greatest threshold shift is found between 2 and 6 kHz. Curves representing AP amplitude as a function of stimulus SPL are displaced to higher stimulus SPLs. Sometimes the slope of the curve is steeper after the noise exposure than before. AP latency at threshold did not change due to the excessive noise exposure. AP-latency values compared at equal sound pressure levels before and after inducement of the trauma showed higher values during the trauma than before.     

Modification of the Threshold Equalising Noise (TEN) test for cochlear dead regions for use with steeply sloping high-frequency hearing loss

Steeply sloping high-frequency hearing loss is often associated with cochlear dead regions. These can be identified by measuring pure-tone thresholds in quiet and in Threshold-Equalising Noise (TEN). However, many patients cannot be adequately tested because the low frequencies in the TEN lead to uncomfortable loudness. We investigated the effect of high-pass filtering on the TEN-test results and the loudness of the TEN. Twenty-four normally hearing subjects and 35 subjects with steeply sloping high-frequency hearing loss were tested, using the standard TEN (TENs), and TEN high-pass filtered at 0.5 kHz (TEN0.5) or 1 kHz (TEN1). For both groups, masked thresholds did not differ across noise types for frequencies above 1 kHz. Over 50% of the hearing-impaired ears tested met the criteria for a dead region at 4 kHz, using all three noise types. However, masked thresholds and the prevalence of positive TEN-test results at 1 kHz were both lower with the TEN 1. The TEN1 was judged the most comfortable noise by 68% of the hearing-impaired subjects. We conclude that high-pass filtering would allow testing at higher TEN levels for patients with steeply sloping hearing loss.     

Effects of intense noise exposure on fetal sheep auditory brain stem response and inner ear histology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in two separate experiments, the effects of intense noise exposures delivered to fetal sheep in utero during a time of rapid auditory development. DESIGN: In the first experiment, auditory brain stem response (ABR) thresholds to clicks and tone bursts were recorded from chronically instrumented fetal sheep in utero before and after exposure of pregnant ewes to intense broadband noise. A single 16 hr exposure was delivered at 113 days gestational age, a time when the ABR is just emerging. Thresholds were compared with an age-matched, nonexposed control group. In the second experiment, fetal sheep at the same gestational age were exposed four times to broadband noise and their cochleae were harvested 20 days later for histological analysis by the use of scanning electron microscopy. Comparisons were made with an age-matched, nonexposed control group. RESULTS: Experiment One: ABR thresholds recorded between 10 to 20 days after the exposure were not as sensitive as thresholds obtained from control fetuses. There was a tendency for thresholds to 0.5 kHz tone bursts to be more affected than thresholds to clicks. Experiment Two: Scanning electron microscopy of the organ of Corti from fetuses exposed to noise from 111 to 114 days gestational age revealed significant damage to inner and outer hair cells in the middle and apical turns of cochleae. Similar hair cell damage was not present in control fetuses. CONCLUSIONS: Intense exogenous noise penetrated the uterus of pregnant sheep and resulted in elevations in ABR thresholds 2 to 3 wk after exposure. In fetuses repeatedly exposed to noise, the middle and apical turns of the cochlea showed greater hair cell damage than found at the same locations in control cochlea. The basal turn of the cochlea was not damaged.     

Efficacy of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in protecting ears exposed to loud music

Antioxidants have been reported to be effective in reducing acoustic trauma in animal models but have not been studied in humans. In this study, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was evaluated to determine if it would reduce temporary changes in auditory function as a result of exposure to loud music in humans. Pure-tone thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were collected in 31 normal-hearing participants, using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, before and after two hours of live music in a nightclub. Using repeated measures analysis of variance, no statistically significant differences were found between participants who received NAC versus a placebo for any of the outcome measures. Across all subjects, the largest pure-tone threshold shift occurred at 4 kHz. DPOAE measures were characterized by reductions in amplitude and a trend for shorter group delay values. When the 3 and 4 kHz data were examined by imposing specific criteria of greater than 2 dB DPOAE amplitude reductions and 10 dB or greater pure-tone threshold shifts, DPOAE reductions occurred more often at 3 kHz, and pure-tone shifts occurred more often at 4 kHz.     

Glutathione limits noise-induced hearing loss

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is thought to be part of the mechanism underlying noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Glutathione (GSH) is an important cellular antioxidant that limits cell damage by ROS. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a GSH supplement to protect GSH-deficient animals from NIHL. Pigmented guinea pigs were exposed to a 4 kHz octave band noise, 115 dB SPL, for 5 h. Group 1 had a normal diet, while groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed a 7% low protein diet (leading to lowered tissue levels of GSH) for 10 days prior to noise exposure. One hour before, immediately after and 5 h after noise exposure, subjects received either an intraperitoneal injection of 5 ml/kg body weight of 0.9% NaCl (groups 1 and 2), 0.4 M glutathione monoethyl ester (GSHE; group 3) or 0.8 M GSHE (group 4). Auditory thresholds were measured by evoked brain stem response at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 kHz before and after noise exposure. Ten days post exposure, group 1 showed noise-induced threshold shifts of approximately 20 dB at 2, 16 and 20 kHz and 35 to 40 dB at other frequencies. Threshold shifts in group 2 were significantly greater than baseline at 2, 4, 16 and 20 kHz. GSHE supplementation in a dose-dependent fashion attenuated the threshold shifts in the low protein diet animals. Hair cell loss, as evaluated with cytocochleograms, was consistent with the auditory-evoked brainstem response results. Group 2 exhibited significantly more hair cell loss than any of the other groups; hair cell loss in group 3 was similar to that seen in group 1; group 4 showed less loss than group 1. These results indicate that GSH is a significant factor in limiting noise-induced cochlear damage. This is compatible with the notion that ROS generation plays a role in NIHL and that antioxidant treatment may be an effective prophylactic intervention.