Hearing loss and abnormal auditory brainstem responses (ABR) have been observed in chemical solvents abusers. An ototoxic effect has been suggested but not yet proven adequately.
In this study, changes of ABR were recorded in guinea pigs after inhalation of chemical adhesive for 40 minutes.
The ABR thresholds were significantly elevated to 3.50*3.36dB nHL (p<0.05), immediately after the inhalation, and recovered to the base line level in 2 hours.
A significant prolongation of wave I latency was observed immediately after the inhalation and it recovered in 1 hour. And a significant prolongation of wave I-V interpeak latency was also observed at 1 and 2 hour after the inhalation and
recovered
in 3
hours.
The wave V latency showed a significant prolongation immediately, 1 and 2 hours after the inhalation and recovered in 3 hours.
The wave V latency-intensity function curve showed a parallel upward shift and the amplitudes of wave I and V, especially wave V, were attenuated at 85dB nHL immediately after the inhalation.
From above results it might be concluded that the inhalatin of chemical adhesive resulted in the reversible changes in ABR, caused by immediate effects to the inner ear and delayed effects to the brainstem audiotry pathway. (Korean J Otolaryngol
38:2,
1995)
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