Interaction between sound and gentamicin: immediate threshold and stereociliary changes

Our aim was to determine whether the immediate effects of a just-damaging sound exposure (8 kHz at 116 dB SPL for 1 h) might be potentiated by a single sub-ototoxic dose of gentamicin (50 mg kg-1). Auditory brainstem responses in pigmented guinea pigs were measured before and after treatment and used to calculate threshold shift (TS). Histological disturbances to sensory hair cells were assessed by scanning electron microscopy. All experimental ears excepting the gentamicin only group showed TS and histological changes. The largest TSs occurred at half an octave above the exposure frequency, and were greatest in the gentamicin + sound (G + S) group. First row outer hair cells showed most histological disturbances, followed by inner hair cells. The severest histological damage occurred at the exposure frequency and basally from it, the G + S group being most affected. Generally, there was good correlation between the severity of TS and histological damage. Results from both analyses indicated greater changes with gentamicin present.