Brief-Tone Audiometry in Persons Treated with Salicylate

Abstract

The ability to integrate acoustic energy over a period of time has been measured by brief-tone audiometry on 14 young persons treated with salicylate and after the salicylate has been excreted. The investigation showed that the temporal integration can be reversible reduced by salicylate treatment, and a relation was demonstrated between the change in temporal integration and the salicylate concentration in the blood. As the test persons had had general anaesthesia, a control test was performed on seven persons. It was shown that anaesthesia does not influence temporal integration. Experimental investigations have shown that the hearing loss produced by salicylate is due to an inhibition of enzymatic systems in the cochlea

Taking into consideration the results of brief-tone audiometry and the cochlear effect of the salicylates, one must conclude that reduced cochlear function caused reduced temporal integration

Key Words:

• Temporal integration
• Brief-tone audiometry
• Salicylate ototoxicity