Furosemide administered before noise exposure can protect the ear

We assessed the effect of furosemide administration on noise-induced hearing loss. This drug reversibly elevates the auditory threshold by inducing a temporary reduction of the endocochlear potential and thereby suppresses the cochlear amplifier and active cochlear mechanics.

Mice were given a single injection of furosemide 30 minutes before exposure to 113 dB sound pressure level broadband noise. Control animals received saline solution. Furosemide was administered in other mice after the noise exposure. Auditory threshold shifts were assessed by recording auditory nerve brain stem evoked response (ABR) thresholds to broadband clicks.

The mean ABR threshold in the group injected with furosemide and exposed to temporary threshold shift (TTS)-producing noise was elevated by 20.4 +/- 12.3 dB, and that in the saline control group was elevated by 35.4 +/- 18.3 dB (p < 0.02). The mean threshold elevations in the group injected with furosemide and exposed to permanent threshold shift (PTS)-producing noise and in the PTS saline control group were 15.0 +/- 10.3 dB and 27.0 +/- 12.7 dB, respectively (p < 0.01). Similar results were obtained when the PTS was assessed with an 8-kHz tone burst ABR. There was no significant difference in the PTS between mice given a single injection of furosemide and those given saline solution after the noise; this finding shows that furosemide is not acting as an antioxidant.

It appears that reversible hearing threshold elevation as a result of furosemide administration before noise exposure can reduce the TTS and PTS. This finding provides insight into the mechanism of noise-induced hearing loss.