Distortion product otoacoustic emissions in newborn babies with and without late-term maternal iron deficiency anaemia

Background:Studies on animals have demonstrated that maternal iron deficiency anaemia(IDA)could result in decreased cochlear sensory hair cells and reduced amplitudes of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAEs)of young guinea pigs.Thus,it is essential to study the functioning of cochlear hair cells using DPOAEs in human newborn babies with maternal IDA.The current study explores maternal IDA’s effect on DPOAEs in newborn babies.Method:A total of 110 newborn babies with gestational age≥34 weeks were considered and a‘betweensubjects’design was used.The participants were divided into 3 groups-“Normal”(61 babies without maternal IDA),“Mild”(28 babies with mild maternal IDA)and“Moderate”(21 babies with moderate maternal IDA).The cord blood was collected and the DPOAEs were recorded for each baby for a range of frequencies(1 k 8 kHz)and a range of intensities(7040 dB SPL in 10 dB steps).Results:The analysis of both DP-gram and DP input-output(I/O)function showed that there was no significant difference(p>0.05)across the normal,mild,and moderate groups in the overall presence of DPOAEs as well as the amplitude across frequencies or intensities(7040 dB SPL).Also,the overall correlation of RBC indices with DPOAE amplitude across frequencies as well as the slope of the I/O function showed no relationship.Conclusion:The current study concludes that there is no effect of late-term maternal IDA on the DPOAEs of newborn babies.

Isoflurane anesthesia suppresses distortion product otoacoustic emissions in rats

A commonly used anesthetic, isoflurane, can impair auditory function in a dose-dependent manner. However, in rats, isoflurane-induced auditory impairments have only been assessed with auditory brainstem responses; a measure which is unable to distinguish if changes originate from the central or peripheral auditory system. Studies performed in other species, such as mice and guinea-pigs, suggests auditory impairment stems from disrupted OHC amplification. Despite the wide use of the rat in auditory research, these observations have yet to be replicated in the rat animal model. This study used distortion product otoacoustic emissions to assess outer hair cell function in rats that were anesthetized with either isoflurane or a ketamine/xylazine cocktail for approximately 45 min. Results indicate that isoflurane can significantly reduce DPOAE amplitudes compared to ketamine/xylazine, and that responses were more variable with isoflurane than ketamine/xylazine over the 45-min test period. Based on these observations, isoflurane should be used with caution when assessing peripheral auditory function to avoid potentially confounding effects.

Effects of glutamate on distortion-product otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem responses in guinea pigs

Objectives To investigate changes in evoked potentials and structure of the guinea pig cochleae during whole cochlear perfusion with glutamate. Methods CM, CAP, DPOAE, and ABR were recorded as indicators of cochlear functions during whole cochlear perfusion. The morphology of the cochlea was studied via transmission electron microscopy. Results There were no significant changes in DPOAE amplitude before and after glutamate perfusion. CM I/O function remained nonlinear during perfusion. ABR latencies were delayed following glutamate perfusion. The average CAP threshold was elevated 35 dB SPL following glutamate perfusion.. The OHCs appeared normal, but the IHCs and afferent dendrites showed cytoplasmic blebs after glutamate perfusion. Conclusions While being a primary amino acid neurotransmitter at the synapses between hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, excessive glutamate is neurotoxic and can destroy IHCs and spiral ganglion neurons. The technique used in this study can also be used to build an animal model of auditory neuropathy.

Otoacoustic emissions value in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Objectives:This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of otoacoustic emissions(OAEs)in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients.Methods:The study included 30 subjects with unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss(ISSNHL).Each patient was evaluated four times:at baseline and after one week,one month,and three months of treatment.During each visit,each patient was subjected to full audiological history,otoscopic examination,basic audiological evaluations,and transiently evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emission(TEOAEs&DEOAEs).Results:The hearing thresholds(frequency range 250e8000 Hz)and word recognition scores of patients with detectable TEOAEs and DPOAEs improved significantly,whereas no significant improvements were observed in those with no response.Conclusion:Hearing improvement is better in patients with detectable TEOAEs and DPOAEs.As a result,TEOAEs and DPOAEs are recommended as routine tests in all SSNHL patients to predict outcomes and monitor treatment as TEOAEs and DPOAEs reflect the cochlear OHCs activity.