Otoprotection against acoustic trauma: Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and corticoid

Author(s)

Gleice Cristina Colombari

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2011-11-21

Examining board members

Miguel Angelo Hyppolito; Omar Feres; Marcos Rabelo de Freitas

• Advisor: Miguel Angelo Hyppolito

Abstract

Investigations on the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in noise injury are scarce and point to different effects depending on the time of intervention. Among the work already described has been observed damaging effect of HBOT when applied immediately after the acoustic trauma, however, positive effect was observed when applied after 2 and 6 hours of rest after the trauma. Studies describe the use of corticosteroids as the best alternative to treat acoustic trauma, but recent studies point to their combination with HBOT as the major benefit in lesions by noise. This study aimed to evaluate the time of intervention by HBOT after 2, 4 and 6 hours of rest after hearing noise exposure and to evaluate the association between HBOT and corticoid. Female guinea pigs were exposed to a white noise on 4kHz at 110dB SPL during 72 hours and divided into five treatment groups: HBOT after 2, 4 and 6 hours of rest after the noise exposure, corticosteroid therapy and HBOT combined with corticoid. The treatment lasted five days, being a therapy session per day. All animals were exposed to Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) and Auditory Brainstem evoked Response (ABR) in three moments: before and after exposure to the noise and after the treatment. All cochleae were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There was no statistically significant difference between the moments of intervention by HBOT after 2, 4 and 6 hours, however, the SEM data showed that a greater otoprotection occurred when the intervention was performed after a higher auditory rest. Although not statistically significant, the anatomical and functional findings concluded that the association between HBOT and corticosteroid therapy played a better otoprotective and therapeutic effect compared to those same therapies alone. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/06760-1 - Otoprotection against acute acoustic trauma: Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and corticoid
• Grantee: Gleice Cristina Colombari
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master