The effects of hyperbaric oxygen on experimental noise damage to the ears.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on cochlear microphonics, action potential of the auditory nerve, and brain stem response damaged by short exposure to noise is varied. Of 26 guinea pigs 14 showed a positive influence as measured by amplitudes. In 12 animals oxygen had little or no effect. The reason for this could lie in the individual reaction to the anesthetic of the section of the auditory nerve tested. The reaction of postmortem cochlear microphonics after hyperbaric oxygen treatment indicates oxygen diffusion through the round window.