[Early detection of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity using evoked otoacoustic emissions]

In a prospective study we examined the effects of cisplatinum on the amplitude of evoked otoacoustic emissions and thus on cochlear micromechanics. 29 patients were examined. Amplitude changes of click-evoked otoacoustic emissions were compared with the threshold of pure-tone audiometry. We observed that an amplitude loss of otoacoustic emissions is a sensitive tool for the early detection of cochlear dysfunction. "Minimal lesions" of the inner ear were observed at an earlier stage during the current therapy than when using conventional audiometry. Measuring and recording otoacoustic emissions enables to diagnose beginning cochlear lesions caused by ototoxic drugs before they become clinically manifest.