Effects of high-frequency sound on electrochemical potential using the single-barrel method in guinea pigs.

There are only a few studies investigating the effects of ultrasound on hearing. This paper reports on an experimental investigation on the effect of the long-time exposure to a moderate sound pressure level, high-frequency sound of 16 kHz on the guinea pig inner ear using electrophysiological methods. A decrease of the absolute value of negative potential was observed in the endocochlear potential (EP). The effects of high-frequency sound on EP and electrochemical potential could be explained by a change in the K+ permeability of hair cells.