On the pathomechanism of cochlear dysfunction in experimental perilymph fistulas

The mechanism leading to hearing impairment in perilymph fistulas was investigated in guinea pigs with perforated round window membranes (RWM) by analyzing alterations of inner ear fluid pressure, changes of auditory function following manipulations to get presumed air bubbles out of the cochlea ("positional audiometry"), and temporal bone sections. The instantaneous loss of normal positive inner ear fluid pressure after RWM perforation had no immediate effect on auditory function. Inner ear pressure was restored 4 days following RWM perforation. "Positional audiometry" was negative in guinea pigs with perforated RWM. All ears in which auditory thresholds had increased had additional iatrogenic lesions at the spiral lamina. Fistulas in the RWM per se do not affect auditory thresholds. The question of the surgical repair of fistulas was not directly addressed; it only can be concluded that there are no direct sequelae of an isolated fistula which induce auditory impairment and which could be prevented by surgical repair of the fistula.