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Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contralateral
normal ear affected by burr noise with acoustic reflex measurements
before and after mastoid surgery.
Methods: Seventeen patients requiring mastoid surgery in their
diseased ears, with contralateral otoscopically and audiologically
normal ears were included in this study. Pure tone audiometry was
performed in normal ears only at preoperative period, whereas acoustic
reflex measurements were recorded preoperatively, at the immediate
postoperative period (0th day) and at 1st to 4th postoperative days
until similar results with the preoperative levels were obtained.
Results: The amplitudes of the acoustic reflexes of the
contralateral normal ears were found to be affected immediately after
the surgery (p<0.01) and progressive improvements were detected with
full recovery at 48 hours. These changes were mainly at around 1 and 2
kHz frequencies. None of the patients had permanent reflex
deterioration.
Conclusion: The burrs used during mastoid surgery can cause hearing
threshold changes in both operated and contralateral ears. Despite of
its being temporary consequences, drill generated noise should not be
neglected, especially in patients with only-hearing ears. Better
equipments, experienced surgeons and shorter drilling times are
particularly advised. |
