Intracochlear Pressures in Simulated Otitis Media With Effusion: A Temporal Bone Study

Conclusion: Simulating effusion leads to a frequency-dependent reduction in intracochlear sound pressure levels consistent with audiological presentation and prior reports. Results reveal that intracochlear pressure measurements (PSV and PST) decrease less than expected, and less than the decrease in PDiff. The observed decrease in umbo velocity is greater than in the differential intracochlear pressures, suggesting that umbo velocity overestimates the induced conductive hearing loss. These results suggest that an alternate sound conduction pathway transmits sound to the inner ear during effusion.
Source: Otology and Neurotology - Category: ENT & OMF Tags: Basic Science Source Type: research