[Otoprotective effect of argon in exposure to noise]

The trial with participation of 10 healthy volunteers aged 18-25 years was made to assess an otoprotective effect of inert gas argon (Ar) in 1-hour exposure to 85 dB white noise. The condition of the acoustic system was evaluated by findings of pure-tone audiometry, TEOAE, DPOAE, BERA and electrocochleography (EcohG). Breathing with oxygen-nitrogen-argon gas mixture (02 - 16%, N2 - 60%, Ar - 24%) in normobaric pressure provides cochlear defense from noise hazard. The authors believe that argon has otoprotective and neuroprotective effects in all types of existing models of cochlear hair cell affection related to hypoxia, oxidative stress, activation of peroxide radicals, toxic effect of glutamate. The detected defensive effect of argon in experimental human hypoxia and in exposure to noise opens a perspective of a new therapeutic strategy in noise damage to the organ of hearing, ototoxic processes in the cochlea and of a novel trend in the treatment of neurosensory hypoacusis and noise in the ear.