[High-frequency audiometry: variations in auditory thresholds in the premenstrual period]

The hormonal changes that occur during the premenstrual period have been implicated as a causative factor for many psychological and physical symptoms. The present work was undertaken to determine the effect of these hormonal changes on audition. We studied 60 ears from 30 women (20-30 years old) with regular menstrual cycles and no middle/inner ear pathology. We performed audiometries one week before menstruation and one week after it, testing the range of frequencies from 250 to 16,000 Hz. After calculating the mean pre and postmenstrual threshold the results were compared using the paired <>-Student test. We found statistical significant differences in the frequencies 9,000, 10,000 and 11,200 Hz.