Hearing impairment caused by intratympanic pressure changes during general anesthesia.

Hearing impairment is not often considered a potential complication of general anesthesia; however, four patients who sustained hearing loss following nitrous oxide inhalation anesthesia have recently come to the authors' attention. The cases are presented and middle ear pressure measurements taken during endotracheal inhalation anesthesia with various agents are reported. Factors predisposing to hearing loss during anesthesia are discussed.