The aim of this study was to investigate long-term development of hearing in subjects who had received platinum-based chemotherapy in childhood or adolescence. Another aim was to assess the self-reported hearing loss handicap and compare it to audiometric measurements. Medical records from individuals diagnosed with childhood cancer and treated with platinum-based chemotherapy between 1985 and 2000 at the University Hospital in Lund Sweden were reviewed retrospectively. Fifteen subjects, who fulfilled the eligibility criteria set for the study, underwent a thorough audiometric evaluation. The results show that the hearing loss, in subjects with ototoxicity had increased after the end of treatment, to include also the lower frequencies. The largest deterioration in hearing thresholds, up to 55 dB HL, was found at frequencies above 2 kHz. The findings also reveal that the subjects have a considerably greater hearing loss handicap and disability than would be expected from the results of the audiometric evaluations. The conclusion of this study is that children and adolescence treated with platinum-based chemotherapy should have regular audiometric follow-up examinations, also many years after the end of treatment. Furthermore, assessments of self-reported hearing disability should be made during and after chemotherapy.
The progressive attenuation of the OAE response and the concomitant shortening of the OAE response latencies were observed during a combination of altered middle and inner ear pressure. Although the middle and inner ear influence cannot be separated we suggest, based on our findings, that the shortening of latencies may partly be caused by inner ear pressure changes and stiffening of the labyrinthine membranes. Further studies are needed to more specifically clarify the relative contribution of the tympanic and labyrinthine influence, respectively, for the various aspects of pressure influence on the OAE response.
A new method was developed for continuous measurement of the middle ear pressure during a 24-h period. The equipment consisted of a piezo-electric pressure device and a digital memory. To allow continuous pressure recordings during normal every-day activities the equipment was made light and portable. The measurement accuracy of the equipment as well as the base-line and temperature stability were tested and found to meet to our requirements satisfactorily. In 4 volunteers with different middle ear conditions, a small perforation was made through the tympanic membrane. A rubber stopper containing a small polyethylene tube was fitted into the external ear canal. Tubal function tests were made to establish the equipment's ability to monitor fast pressure changes. The tests were well in accordance with other methods of direct pressure measurements. The equipment was carried by the volunteers for 24 h to monitor any slow or rapid dynamic pressure changes in the middle ear. Four continuous 24-h measurements are presented. The method was found to be suitable for valid measurements of dynamic pressure changes in the middle ear during normal every-day activities. It may become a useful instrument in the search for a better understanding of the development of chronic middle ear disease.
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