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Human auditory steady-state responses during repeated exposure to hypobaric hypoxia
Marco Lucertini1, Paolo Verde, Stefano De Santis
1Italian Air Force, CSV, Aerospace Medicine Department, Pomezia, Rome, Italy. csv.rmas@tin.it
Audiology & Neuro-Otology
|May 15, 2002
Summary
Consecutive exposures to hypobaric hypoxia alter auditory steady-state responses (SSR). The central auditory pathway shows sensitivity, suggesting impaired compensation mechanisms during repeated hypoxia.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Hypoxia Research
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Auditory steady-state responses (SSR) reflect the integrity of the central auditory pathway.
- Hypobaric hypoxia, simulating high altitudes, can impact physiological functions, including auditory processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal changes in auditory steady-state responses (SSR) during two sequential exposures to hypobaric hypoxia.
- To identify the most hypoxia-sensitive components of the auditory system.
Main Methods:
- Six healthy subjects were exposed to simulated altitude (17,000 ft) in a hypobaric chamber.
- Auditory steady-state responses (SSR) were recorded at various time points during normoxia, hypoxia, reoxygenation, and subsequent hypoxia.
- Phase shifts in SSR were analyzed to assess auditory pathway function.
Main Results:
- A significant phase shift in SSR was observed at the onset of both hypoxic exposures.
- A subtle SSR phase shift persisted even after returning to ground level.
- The central auditory pathway demonstrated higher sensitivity to hypoxia compared to peripheral auditory structures like the cochlea.
Conclusions:
- The central auditory pathway is particularly vulnerable to the effects of hypobaric hypoxia.
- Consecutive exposures to hypoxia may impair the auditory system's compensatory mechanisms.
- Findings suggest potential functional deficits in auditory processing under repeated hypoxic conditions.